LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

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UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



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THE 

Triumph jof Time. 



ittgstual f0£m. 



BY 



rfy^. ELLA DIETZ. b^v%ce>^ 

33 

A SEQUEL TO 

THE TRIUMPH OF LOVE. 



LONDON : 
E. W. ALLEN, 4, AVE MARIA LANE. 

MDCCCLXXXIV 

All Bights Reserved. 






LONDON : 

PRINTED BY FARQUHARSON ROBERTS AND PHILLIPS, 

13, HUGGIN LANE, E.C. 



" QTlTBt irrljirtr h&th bun is itoto ; anir ttrat folrirlj 
is tn be Ijatlj alreairj been ; anir (Ssir reqixiretlj tljat 

hrljirlj is past/'— Ecclesiastes iii. 15. 



a2 



PROLOGUE. 

The Grave of Love. 

I stand between two lives, a life that's gone, 
A life that's dead, yet died to live again ; 
unforgotte.n joys, remembered pain ! 
Feed all my years with memory alone. 
Flow hidden tears, and sorrows deep atone, 
For that dear past is dead whom grief hath slain, 
Yet green the grave where love so long hath lain, 
And roses bloom above one time washed stone. 

days and months and years that are to be, 
What gifts bring ye sad fruits of grief and toil ? 
What treasures from the unrelenting sea ? 
Heap high your riches, yield the victor spoil. 
Lo ! at the grave of love on bended knee 

1 pour as incense all my precious oil. 



art I. 



IN ABSENCE. 



THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 



" Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods 
drown it : If a man would give all the substance of his 
house for love, it would utterly be contemned." 

" Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine 
arm ; jealousy is cruel as the grave ; the coals thereof are 
coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame." 

Solomon's Song viii. 6-7. 



10 THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 



Song. 

Dim forms half seen through tears, 
Shadows of other years, 
Hopes that give way to fears. 
Mists of the morn. 



Treasures that seem as lost, 
Buds nipped by winter frost, 
Count these love's bitter cost. 
O heart forlorn ! 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 11 



Why Did We Part. 

Why did we part ? I know not how nor why. 

My bark has drifted far from love's green shore, 

And now the land of light I see no more, 

Only a waste of sea, and brooding sky ; 

The pennon droops that once I proudly bore, 

And all the blessed visions seen of yore 

Live only as the dead in memory. 

When shall the trump sound to awake those dead ? 

When shall their bodies from the graves arise 

And stand confronting us with solemn eyes, 

Showing their pierced hands and feet which bled ? 

Will it then avail our sorrowful surprise ? 

" These are mv little ones," the voice hath said. 



12 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



When I Am Dead. 

When I am dead what man will say- 
She used to smile in such a way, 
Her eyes were dark and strangely bright 
As are the solemn stars of night ? 
What man will say her voice's tone 
Was like the far-off winds that moan 
Through forest trees ? voice and eyes 
That brought me dreams of Paradise ! 



I think no man, when I am dead, 

Will say these things that thou hast said 

Unto my living human face, 

And all the bloom, and all the grace 

W 7 ill then be buried out of sight, 

Thought of no more, forgotten quite, 

As are the flowers of other days, 

And songs of birds who sang their praise, 

As are the flowers of other springs, 

Upon whose grave the wild bird sings. 



THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 13 

flowers and songs of other days ! 
What sweet new voice will sing your praise ? 
What choir will celebrate the spring 
When love and I went wandering 
Between the glades, beneath the trees, 
Or by the calm blue summer seas, 
And thought no thing beneath the skies 
So lovely as each other's eyes ? 

When we are dead, when both are gone, 
Buried in separate graves alone, 
Perchance the restless salt sea wave 
Will sing its dirge above my grave, 
While you, on some far foreign shore, 
May hear the distant ocean roar, 
And long at last your arms to twine 
About this cold dead form of mine. 

When we are dead, when both are cold, 
When love is as a tale that's told, 
Will not our lips so still and mute 
Still long for love's untasted fruit ? 
Though lands and seas hold us apart 
Will not my dead heart reach thy heart, 
And call to thee from farthest space 
Until we both stand face to face ? 



14 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

When we are dead, yea, God doth know 
When that shall be, if it were so 
This moment now, if thou and I 
Lay dead together neath this sky, 
Could any future to us bring 
So sad and desolate a thing 
As this sad life ? nay, can there be 
Such sorrow in eternity ? 

O long sad days ! we need in truth 
Some recompense for our lost youth : 
By woes forlorn, and sins forborne, 
By joys renounced or from us torn, 
By thorns that bore no single rose, 
By loving hands that dealt us blows ; 
We pray that when this life shall cease 
We then may know eternal peace. 

When we are dead, when sea and air 

Have claimed the forms that once were fair, 

Will joys of Heaven compensate 

For two lone hearts left desolate 

On earth so long ? Will all these years 

Of anxious love and burning tears 

Be as the water turned to wine, 

The best of all that feast divine ? 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 15 



Sea Waves. 

The wild waves dash and roar 
Along the shingly shore, 
Their voice is near, but Oh ! I hear 
My loved one's voice no more. 

The sea-gulls wheel and fly 
Against an amber sky, 
And so of yore we watched them soar, 
Together he and I. 

Wild waves along the shore 
Eoll on and dash and roar 
With ceaseless moan since I alone 
Eecall those days of yore. 

Oh ! shall we ever stand 
By sea or pleasant land 
As once we stood and thought it good 
Hand closely clasped in hand ? 



16 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Oh ! shall it ever be, 
By land or flowing sea, 
That he and I beneath the sky 
May clasp hands silently ? 

Though we may never stand 
Together on green land, 
In Heaven above I'll meet my love 
And take him by the hand. 

Though it should never be, 
Again by land or sea, 
In Paradise I'll greet his eyes, 
And they shall look on me. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 17 



Aspiration. 

11 From me is thy fruit found.'" — Ho sea xiv. 8. 
I am the vine, ye are the branches." — St. John xv. 5. 

My soul must feed on heavenly fruits, 
My feet must walk in heavenly ways, 
I cannot live by bread alone. 
Thy word, God ! my spirit stays, 
Eemember all my weary days, 
Eemember, Lord, my parched roots, 
Then let Thy will in me be done, 
That I mav bring forth heavenly fruits. 



18 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



" Inasmuch as ye did it unto the least of these My little 
ones, ye did it unto Me." 



Unto Thee, my God, unto Thee, 
Alas ! what have I done ? 
What angry word not spoken, 
What deep made vow not broken. 
And now I stand alone, 
Filled full of grief and shame, 
Self scorn and bitter blame ; 
Oh ! let Thy Holy Name 

In me atone. 
Though cankering sin doth cling and cleave to me, 

Lord set me free ! 

Unto Thee, my God, unto Thee, 
When have I ministered ? 
When have I given Thee bread ? 
Has Thy hungry heart been fed 
By my thought or deed or word ? 
Oh ! poor and weak am I, 
Yet Jesus heed my cry. 
Thou wilt not pass me by. 

Yea, Thou hast heard. 
My broken heart at last I give to Thee. 

Christ, set me free ! 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 19 



Sonnet. 

- k That where I am ye may be also." 

That where Thou art Thy chosen ones may be, 

Thy chosen ones to sit upon Thy throne, 

As Thou hast shared Thy Father's throne alone, 

So may we share Thy throne and be with Thee, 

With Thee, sweet Lord, throughout eternity ; 

With Thee who art as God and with Him one, 

For where Thou art His will is ever done, 

And there all angels praise His unity. 

O faithful, holy, wonderful, and true, 

Defend me now, let no man take my crown ; 

Oh! cleanse my life; Yea, cleanse my heart anew; 

But bear me up lest in the deeps I drown, 

From many called, the chosen are but few, 

Who smite the Son must meet the Father's frown 



b2 



20 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 



Sweeter than Honey. 

Sweeter than honey in the honeycomb 
Are Thy sweet words, O Father, unto me, 
Like some lost exile seeking after home, 
Thus have I sought and found myself in Thee. 
Prized above all gold and precious stones 
Are Thy commandments written on my heart, 
Thy voice is clearer than the dove's low tones, 
There is no night nor darkness where Thou art. 
Blest are the pure in heart for they shall see 
Their God ; Oh ! rapture to behold His face, 
Our blessed Lord who comes to set us free, 
And lead His wandering sheep to resting place. 
Gome quickly, Lord Jesus ! quickly come, 
That Thy meek souls of earth may find their home. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 21 



Waters in the Desert. 

Long tinie I wandered in a barren land, 
My stumbling feet beset by unknown ways, 
The scorching sun blinding my weary gaze, 
A brazen sky above a waste of sand, 
No shelter from the torturing burning rays : 
God ! I cried, end now my nights and days, 
Smite me with death, yea, strike me where I stand. 
And Thou did'st smite as Moses smote the rock, 
Not unto death, for forth there gushing flowed' 
A stream of life, and suddenly there glowed 
Bright roses where had been an earthquake's shock, 
And grasses green appeared, and cattle lowed, 
And by a stream a shepherd fed his flock. 



22 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



I Gave Thee Jewels. 

I gave thee jewels, priceless jewels set 

In a crown of gold ; I gave thee blooming flowers, 

Plucked in an eastern land from sacred bowers, 

I gave thee love ; that love can'st thou forget ? 

Can'st thou wipe out the day our spirits met ? 

Eesign the throne and crowm that once was ours ? 

Yield up thy freedom to earth's tyrannous powers? 

Obliterate thy love and thy regret ? 

Yea, thou hast left me ; only in my dreams 

Do I behold the wonder of thy face, 

Across my cloudy sky thy spirit gleams, 

A haunting shadow in a lonely place, 

Pale as still waters lit by moon's pale beams, 

Silent as wings that flying leave no trace. 



THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 23 



Nocturne. 

Sacred the day we met ; 

Sacred the" dews that shed 
Their drops on the crimson rose, 

In her mossy bed, 
When the east was a streak of gold, 

And the west was golden red. 

The evening star trembled for love 

Of the moon's pale light, 
Whilst the nightingale in the grove, 

Sang his song to the heart of night. 

Still was the air, Oh ! still, 

Save the evening breeze 
That sighed with a rustling thrill 

Through the forest trees. 



24 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Calm was the sky above, 
No sound was heard 

Save the throbbing note of love 
From the throbbing bird. 



Let those who will forget 
Love's sacred ways ; 

Mine eyes with tears are wet 
For love's lost days. 

Mine eyes with tears are wet, 

My heart is sad, 
Let those who will forget 

To make it glad. 



The rose is dried and dead, 
That once was crimson red, 
No sacred dews are shed, 
From out the sky. 

Hushed is the nightingale, 
Silent his tender wail, 
Throughout the darksome vale, 
None hear his cry. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 25 

Dark is the face of night, 
Thick clouds shut out from sight 
The stars, and moon's pale light 
Shut out the sky. 

Moaning through quivering trees, 
Shudders the sighing breeze, 
The shivering waters freeze, 
The streams run dry. 

All nature makes her moan, 
When love is left alone, 
When cold hearts turned to stone, 
Leave love to die. 



26 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



The Wind Harp. 

At night when the stars shine, 

My soul is filled with light, 

Their bright rays pierce my heart, 

I tremble with joy, 

Harp -like I sing wild songs, 

Glad songs of liberty, 

For the cords of my being are strained, 

Strained till they vibrate ; 

And the winds breathe low music through my soul, 

I hear the song the wind plays upon my heart : 

Its sweetness is ravishing, 

I almost faint to hear it ; 

Between life and death I lie in the land of song. 

death in life thou art sweet ! 

life born of death thou ar£ sweeter ! 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 27 



The Song of the Wind. 

In the dark night forth going, 

Whither my soul and where ? 
Whither and where not knowing, 

Forth on the storm-filled air, 
Forth on the airy ocean ; 

Alone, my soul ! wilt thou dare 
To brave the wild wind's dread commotion, 

The darkening gloom of despair? 

Forth in the darkness lonely, 

Lone on the open sea, 
With thee, O my soul ! thee only, 

Sailing the ether free ; 
While the winds of night are raving, 

And the stars have hid their light, 
I with my soul am braving 

The gloom of the deep black night. 



28 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



Andromeda. 

Andromeda upon her lonely rock, 

Was not more lone nor more forlorn than I ; 

Above, the dark face of the barren sky, 

And at my feet the cold sea's cruel shock, 

The dread sea monster's ravening leering mock ; 

Why cometh not the saving Perseus ? Why 

Doomed to a living death do I not die ? 

Or chained to stone become like stone or stock ? 

How long, how long swift-footed warrior fair, 

Shall woman wait thy coming ? When be free ? 

When thou with thy bright sword shalt cleave the air, 

And slay the cruel monster of the sea ; [snare, 

Freed from her chains, from rock, from tempter's 

She then shall glorify the heavens with thee ! 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 29 



World Weary. 

Brother wake and come away, 
Where the golden waters gleam ; 
Come where flows the sacred stream, 
Where the lilies lie asleep, 
On the waters cool and deep, 
Far away and far away. 

Far ; Oh ! far our country lies, 
'Neath the deep blue tropic skies ; 
I can hear the sweet birds call, 
I can hear the waters fall ; 
Hark ! the sweet birds call us home, 
Hark ! they call us ! brother, come ! 

Brother, wake and take my hand, 
I have travelled far alone ; 
See behind me white seas moan ; ' 
I have crossed the desert's track 
All alone, nor once looked back ; 
Left the weary waste of sand 
Far behind — A new found land 
Full of promise bids us come, 
Brother, wake ! and take me home ! 



30 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



The Lost Sheep. 

My Father sought my love, 

But night and day 

I turned away ; 
And ever as He strove, 

In sorrow meek, 

My love to seek, 
I ever spurned His love. 

I dwelt with mine own pride, 

To Him no gift 

Did I uplift, 
Earth's loves I deified ; 

I sat in state, 

Queen of my fate, 
When lo ! one day love died. 

Then I cried out in scorn, 

" Is God above 

A God of love ? 
Why was I ever born ? 

Now let Him take 

My soul, and make 
Some creature less forlorn." 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 31 

Then answered He, and spake, 

" I sought thine heart, 

Of mine a part ; 
I sought thy thirst to slake, 

Come drink of Me," 

I said, " be free, 
But ye did idols make. 

" I give and take away, 

That ye may turn 

To me and burn 
With love no man can slay, 

That ye at last 

May hold Me fast, 
I give ye power to stray. 

" I give ye power to sin, 

If sin ye must, 

Who are as dust, 
That I your souls may win ; 

Ye must be free, 

To turn from Me, 
As to return within." 



32 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

But still I strayed away, 
Earth's fruits to eat, 
And called them sweet, 

And still forgot to pray ; 
My Lord looked down, 
With jealous frown, 

My idols turned to clay. 

And then I saw my soul, 

Blackened with sin, 

And dark within ; 
I heard the thunders roll, 

"0 God! I cried, 

Would I had died, 
Can'st Thou not make me whole ? 

" At last I come to Thee, 

Oh ! let me hear 

Thy voice, nor fear 
Thy gracious face to see, 

Unworthy I, 

To live or die, 
Unworthy e'en to be. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 33 

" Lord, I believe Thy power, 

Thou can'st remake 

My soul and take 
Me up at this last hour ; 

Oh ! make me Thine, 

By love Divine, 
My strength, my shield, my tower. 

" Thy love hath walled me in, 

By night and day 

I cannot stray, 
Yea, walled by mine own sin, 

Thus bound to Thee, 

In liberty, 
I'm Thine, without, within." 



MnUxlnbt. 



THE TENOR VOICE. 



c^ 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 37 

Winged Sleep. 

Lo ! in the night with my arms wound around thee, 
I carry thee far to some clear limpid stream, 
There where my love hath recaptured and bound 

thee, 
I kiss thee at will in thy deep mystic dream. 

Child of the lotos, and pearl of the ocean, 
Queen of my bosom, and queen of the air, 
I call thy deep soul to receive my devotion, 
And whisper delight to thy spirit most fair. 

Day may divide us, but night-time unites us, 
Dreams shall restore us to music and love, 
A dream of enchantment that lures and invites us 
To groves of sweet spices, the home of the dove. 

What though our feet tread the earth on the morrow, 
To-night we are winged, to-night we are free, 
Let me drink deep of joy, forget earth and its sorrow, 
And bask in the love-light of Heaven and thee. 

We will rest 'neath the palms, we will bathe in 

clear waters, 
Where thy sisters the lilies are waking from sleep, 
They will call thee the fairest of all earth's fair 

daughters, 
And amid thy long tresses they'll lovingly creep. 



38 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

The soft breezes woo us, the birds sing above us, 
The waters caress us, the white lilies shine, 
All nature rejoices to hold and to love us, 
And shares in our mystical rapture divine. 

Through the cool shad)' groves let us wander 

together, 
And eat of the fruit of each blossoming tree, 
A garden of spices in balmy spring weather, 
Where sweet doves are cooing and calling for thee. 

Now the low T song of birds my dear love is awaking, 
A soft tender kiss on her lips I will press, 
And now the bright day her sweet soul is re -taking, 
She will w T ake and remember her lover's caress. 

Thine eyes are my starlight, thy face is my moon- 
light, 

Thy hair is my sunlight, thy lips are my morn, 

Let me kiss them, night wanes and the day waxes 
soon bright, 

And lo ! from my heart a new love lay is. born. 



art I. 



(CONTIN U ED.) 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 41 



Avenged. 

Forget me, Oh ! forget me ; let me be 

By thee forgotten, dead and out of sight, 

Yea, more than dead, obliterated quite 

From out the records of thy memory ; 

Strew my white ashes to the foaming sea, 

Cast them away in darkness of the night ; 

Let this pale form that once was thy delight, 

Be blotted out from earth, from Heaven, from thee. 

Then when resolved to dew and fire and air, 

Or turned to dust lying beneath thy feet, 

When all my dissolution is complete ; 

Then let some woman rise serenely fair, 

Saying with voice unutterably sweet, 

Behold in me thy dead love's dead despair. 



42 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 



Relenting. 

" Sweetheart," he said; "what sweeter word than 

this 
Can lover call the lady of his love ? 
O sweet sweetheart ! " and therewith fell a kiss 
Upon my brow as falls a fluttering dove. 
Oh ! will that blessed word fall on mine ear 
Again from those dear lips ? and is it meet 
To leave this heart a prey to doubt and fear ? 
This heart which you beholding called most sweet. 
No other eye hath seen its inmost shrine, 
No other ear hath heard its inmost voice, 
For thee alone it sang its song divine, 
And can'st thou now reject thine own heart's 

choice ? 
Cast me not from thee on life's bitter sea, 
Thou know'st, love ! my Heaven lies hid in thee. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 43 



Yearning. . 



We walk through life o'er steep and stony ways, 
We singers who make other lives so sweet, 
We gain the heights with torn and bleeding feet, 
xlnd hear perchance some far-off word of praise, 
Some talk of crowns, faint odours of green bays 
Borne on the wind — while voices still repeat 
Our songs of early love, we yearn to greet 
Some radiant face lost now these many days. 
The multitudes may echo what we sing, 
Or list with bated breath to thrilling strain. 
Born of a soul tortured by lonely pain ; 
But while we hear the loud applauses ring, 
Our hungering hearts would give them all to bring 
One vision back, one lost hope to regain. 






44 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



Light in Darkness. 

Where art thou, O my love ? where art thou? where ? 

Will time console me ever for thy loss ? 

Behold, I bear alone my heavy cross, 

And thou alone thy thorny crown doth wear, 

Alone ? not so, O my beloved ! there 

Above us stands the One ; — our love as dross 

Beside His gold doth show, though billows toss 

Between us we may walk where faith doth dare. 

Our Master leads, we follow on His way, 

Follow the self same hand, the tender voice, 

Nightly we kneel and to one God we pray, 

Daily the gladsome sun doth both rejoice ; 

He leads us still, earth cannot our hearts sever, 

Our God doth guide us now and will for ever. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 45 



Strong as Death. 

I loved, God took my love, I did not die, 

I love my lost one still, and God knows why ; 

me ! the love God gave, 
Must either kill or save, 

'Twill follow to my grave, 
And with me lie. 

My star was shining bright , it shines no more, 
Quenched is its golden light, dark is my shore, 

1 watch for its lost beam, 
When will its radiant gleam 
Light up my darkened dream, 

With light of yore ? 

My bird that sweetly sang has taken flight, 

Its voice now throbs no more through shades of 

I'm suddenly bereaved, [night ; 

By hope and love deceived, 

My losses unretrieved, 
Sad is my plight. 



46 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Some balmy night my lost bird will return, 
Low in the eastern sky my star will burn, 
And o'er my silent grave, 
Where the tall grass will wave, 
The heart I longed to save, 
Will weep and yearn. 

Dreams of the Night. 
I. 
Sweet are my dreams of thee, love ! to-night, 
Sweet be thy dreams and peaceful be thy rest, 
Upon thy heart may winged thoughts alight, 
To soothe all troubled yearnings of thy breast ; 
Oh ! hold me fast within thy strong embrace, 
Yea, let me nestle deep within thy heart, 
There let me find my own abiding place ; 
My only home on earth is where thou art, 
Thy heart my Heaveu, my home and my domain, 
Cast me not forth in outer night to dwell, 
Lift me to thee and let me ever reign 
Within thy soul, as by some mystic spell 
I draw thee to me, nearer ever nearer, 
Till soul and flesh and mind are even as one, 
And time will only serve to make us dearer 
Each to the other until work be done, 
Then o'er our hearts eternal rest shall steal, 
And waiting death immortal life reveal. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 47 



V 
Joy in Sorrow. 

Another year has come and gone, 

Another autumn flown, 
Another winter coming on, 
Still finds me here alone, 
And many a hope that once was mine, 
I now with summer joys resign. 

The gay green fields I used to tread, 

Are white with covering snow, 
And many a pale sweet blossom's dead, 
That never more shall blow, 
And where the flow T ers lie buried deep, 
My hopes and dreams are wrapt in sleep. 

We know the glowing springtide sun, 

Will wake to life new flowers, 
And after winter's race is run, 
New summers shall be ours, 
But what can wake to life again, 
The roses spoiled by autumn's rain ? 






48 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

golden mists upon the hills ! 
vanished land of dreams ! 
E'en now your memory stirs and thrills 
My heart's fast frozen streams, 
Methinks some glad warm springlike day, 
Might melt these icy chains away. 

Yea, flowers may die and bright hopes fade, 

But let the glad sun glow, 
And soon on field and hill and glade, 
A thousand blossoms blow, 
And joyful nature doth repeat 
Each bygone form and odour sweet. 

And so, methinks, if thou should' st come, 

In some glad far-off spring, 
And call my heart again thy home, 
And bid it gaily sing, 
That tender hopes long, long concealed, 
Would bloom like flowers by spring revealed. 

And in the blossoms we might see, 

The faces of our dead, 
And find the glad reality, 

Sweeter than dreams once fled, 
And weep no more o'er our sad past, 
Since time restores all joys at last. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 49 



Twilight Mists. 

Twilight has fallen on the sea, 

A winter twilight cold and gray, 

And once again I wend my way 

Along the rough and shingly shore ; 

The restless waters hoarsely roar, 

Their moaning voices seem to say, 

" Where are the days ye loved of yore ? " 

Twilight has fallen on the sea, 

And through the lowering clouds of night 

Shine long pale streaks of fading light, 

And far across the water gleams 

Eed light in intermittent streams, 

To warn or cheer the mariner's sight, 

As of his longed-for home he dream s. x 

Twilight has fallen on the sea, 
And on the level stretch of land, 
On sea and shore and barren strand ; 
And I alone the one dark spot, 
Against the waste of gray a blot ; 
Would the cold waves might cover me, 
Twilight has fallen on the sea ! 



50 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Dreams of the Night. 

Last night I saw my love, I dreamed 

He smiled upon me through his tears ; 
How sweet and true the vision seemed, 

My love whom I've not seen for years. 
He smiled upon me through his tears, 

And gave to me a golden ring ; 
My love whom I've nob seen for years, 

My heart for joy began to sing. 

He spoke some low and loving w 7 ords, 

I laughed for joy and laughed again ; 
Methought I heard the voice of birds, 

And pattering of gentle rain. 
The soft and gently dripping rain, 

That snugly housed one likes to hear ; 
I laughed for peace and laughed again, 

And knew no care nor any fear. 

O haunting vision of the night ! 

Come true, dream ! by night or day, 
In early dawm or dim twilight, 

In gladsome spring or autumn gray ; 
Whene'er it be I'll bless the day 

That brings my love in rain or shine ; 
In golden dawn or twilight gray, 

I'll bless the hour that makes him mine ! 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 51 



Hymn of Praise. 

11 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all His benefits : " 
" We praise Thee, God, we acknowledge Thee to be the Lord." 

Father of all, who hast given the dawn and the dew, 
The night and the stars, which are but as shadows 

of Thee ; 
We bathe in Thy light, and our souls are reborn 

and made new, 
We kneel in Thy sight, and arise with our pinions 

set free. 

Thou hast given us songs for our joy, and laments 

for our sorrow, 
Thou hast given the rushing of rivers, the murmurs 

of seas, 
Thou hast given us dreams of the night, and new 

life on the morrow, 
Thy hand is the hand that hath made and hath 

given us these. 

We praise Thee, O Lord, for all our ineffable 

pleasures, 
The light of Thy face, Thy law and Thy love unto 

men ; 
Deep cries unto deep, and earth with her bright 

hidden treasures, 
Doth glorify Thee, and re-echoes Thy praises again. 

d2 



52 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 

We praise Thee on mountains and hills, on Thy 

high Holy places, 
The tall cedar trees sing Thy praises, the pines and 

the firs, 
All earth in her beauty but mirrors Thy love, and 

Thy graces 
Are seen in each flower of the field which the light 

zephyr stirs. 

Each June brings its roses, the shadows of roses 

supernal, 
Each autumn its vintage, its harvest of fruits and 

of flowers, 
And these blessings of earth are but types of the 

blessings eternal, 
Eternal as time with its pageant of days and of 

hours. 

Oh ! hide not Thy face nor Thy light, though in 

darkness Thou shinest, 
We know and acknowledge that Thou art our Lord 

and our God, 
Without Thee all pleasures are dead, and joys e'en 

the divinest 
Become as the dust of the earth which our feet 

have downtrod. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 53 



Pre-Vision. 

When the first signs of morning streak 
The eastern sky, will I awake, 

And straightway will rny loved one seek, 
While yet the day begins to break. 

Upon his brow cool blossoms lay, 

Fresh gathered from the dewy green ; 

And bid the zephyrs lightly play, 

Nor wake him from his dream serene. 

While the lark circling sings on high, 
And pierces heaven with her notes, 

Which falling from the far-off sky 

Like echoing songs from angel throats 

Do intersperse his slumbers sweet, 
Bringing bright visions of delight, 

And while those swelling notes retreat, 
The day apace comes conquering night. 

Then will my lover lift his eyes, 

And wondering see me where I stand, — 

Filled with a joyful glad surprise, 
Will reach to me his willing hand. 



54 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

And there in that sweet dewy morn, 
The earth filled full of tenderness, 

In that sweet day but newly born, 
We two will then our love confess. 

We two will then redeem the past, 
Fulfil the promise of lost days, 

The spoken word restored at last, 
After long wanderings, long delays. 

God is not mocked, the miser's gold 
Is scattered ; and the fallen tree 

Lies where it fell, and manifold 

Bright gifts thy Lord requires of thee. 

The blooming flower, the hidden gem, 
The dewy morn, the sun's bright ray, 

Set thou within His diadem, 

And crown Him on His Sabbath day. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 55 



V 

Wrestling. 

My God, I love Thee, make me pure 
And sweet and blessed m his eyes ; 

Without Thy grace could I endure 
The mysteries of Paradise ? 

Fill Thou my heart with holy fire, 

As his is filled with deep desire. 

I cling to Thee, Thou Holy One, 
I needs must wrestle and prevail ; 

Oh ! let Thy will in me be done, 
Let not Thy spoken promise fail ; 

Though sight be dull and clouds be dense, 

I feel Thy love's omnipotence. 

Clothe me with garments pure and white, 
And make me glorious within ; 

Living for ever in Thy sight, 

Purged shall I be from secret sin, 

And gazing evermore on Thee, 

Changed to Thy likeness I shall be. 



56 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



Tyre. 

Ezekibl xxviii. 

Purple Tyre, purple Tyre, 

Thou city of the sea, 
With many a gleaming golden spire, 

And blazoned canopy ; 
Thy Prince did walk the stones of fire, 

Ere thou began'st to be. 

Between the holy cherubim, 

Thy diadem was set; 
Why are thy glories now grown dim, 

Thy name a vain regret ? 
Why dost thou no more honour him, 

Thy King ? dost thou forget ? 

The jasper and the onyx stone 
Were set within their place ; 

Thy Prince did trust their power alone, 
Nor sought the Holy Face, 

And nevermore can'st thou atone, 
Since thou hast lost His grace. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. i 

With precious gems for covering, 

Thy beauty was complete ; 
The dancers with their pipes did sing 

Down every golden street ; 
And ships from far-off lands did bring 

Eich stuffs and spices sweet. 

The sardius and the topaz gem, 

The sapphire and the gold, 
That shone within thy diadem, 

Have made thy heart grow bold ; 
Thy pride has grown because of them, 

And rich things bought and sold. 

Thy traffic and thy merchandise 
Have made thy heart to sin : 

Because thou said'st, " I am all wise, 
And glorious within," 

Behold, in dust thy beauty lies, 
Destruction doth begin. 

And I will cast thee to the ground, 

That kings may thee behold, 
And thou shalt nevermore be found 

Upon thy throne of gold ; 
And sad thy murmured name shall sound, 

So glorious of old. 



58 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Because thy heart once lifted up 

Unto the Throne of God, 
Where thou did'st drink the Holy cup 

In pride those heights hath trod, 
I cast thee down and thou must sup 

Beneath the scourging rod. 

And fire shall in the midst of thee 

Devouring horror spread, 
And all the purple flowing sea 

Shall with thy flames be red ; 
Thou who wert beautiful and free 

Art numbered with the dead. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 59 

Weary. 

No rest, no rest, my heart must sing, 

Must sing till it be dead ; 
Then let the winds of autumn fling 

The rose-leaves o'er my head, 
And let white storms of winter bring 

A covering for my bed. 

No rest, no rest, for those who toil. 

Must toil till work be done, 
Bobbing the spoiler of his spoil 

Till victory be won, 
With plodding patient care and moil, 

Till the long race be run. 

No rest, no rest while life shall last, 

From singing or from pain ; 
When, when shall all my toil be past, 

When shall my loss be gain ? 
Will some dim future far and vast 

Unite us severed twain? 

Then might I rest as one who sleeps 

And dreams of Paradise, 
Feeling above great azure deeps, 

And holy starry eyes 
Of One who sacred vigil keeps 

Within the sacred skies. 



60 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



The Comforter. 

Abide with me thou Holy Dove, 
Abide with me, abide with me, 

Transform my being by Thy love, 
And set me free ! and set me free ! 

Thy tender voice I long to hear 

That shall me from my sin release ; 

I wait with trembling joy and fear 
Thy visions of eternal peace. 

Abide with me through all my days, 
My will direct, my footsteps guide, 

And lead me in Love's righteous ways, 
And from temptation let me hide. 

Be Thou a seal upon my heart, 

Let Thy power strengthen and defend, 

Till death shall bring me where Thou art, 
And life immortal crown my end. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 61 

The Song of the Dove. 

Dost thou not hear my singing, 
When I my way am winging 

Near and more near, 
And to thy lo#e-heart bringing 

Blessing and cheer ? 

High up the white clouds float, 
Yet hear my piercing note 

Higher than clouds ; 
Hear how the long notes rise, 
And lo ! within the skies 

Faces in crowds ! 

Sweet cherub faces bringing 
Sweet notes to swell the song ; 

Hear ! hear the choral singing, 
Hear ! hear the angel throng, 

And bright flowers they are flinging, 
To heal the world of wrong. 

Bright flowers and songs of glory 

To heal the waiting earth, 
To tell the glad old story 

Of the Eedeemer's birth, 
That through the ages hoary, 

Has saved the world from dearth. 



62 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Sing, sing the glad to-morrow 

Of ages yet to be, 
When earth redeemed from sorrow 

Shall make her children free, 
And e'en from time shall borrow, 

To swell the jubilee. 

There shall be sounds of dancing, 
Instead of silent tears ; 

There shall be songs entrancing, 
Dispelling darksome fears ; 

And eyes with love-light glancing 
Through all the waiting years. 

There shall be holy faces, 
Watching within the sky, 

And joy in heavenly places, 
And prayers ascending high, 

And sweet ethereal graces 
Beaming from every eye. 

There shall be children clinging 
To the dear Mother's breast, 

There shall be angels winging 
Their way to homes of rest, 

And all the glad earth singing 
Of a Eedeemer blest. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 63 

Oh ! sweet the infant voices, 
And sweet the songs of praise, 

My thankful soul rejoices 
At wisdom's holy days, 

When every being's choice is 
To walk in heavenly ways. 

When earth has ceased its sighing, 

Being redeemed from sin, 
And every heart is crying 

To be made pure within, 
And death itself is dying 

That new life may begin. 

I bring earth songs of gladness, 
I bring earth songs of peace, 

I banish every sadness, 
The captive I release, 

I comfort every madness, 
I bid ail wars to cease. 

I bind the broken-hearted, 

And I restore the slain, 
And those long since departed 

I call to life again ; 
And eyes where tears have started 

I wipe, and heal all pain. 



64 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

No longer sounds of weeping, 
But sounds of tender mirth, 

And, while the dead are sleeping, 
Our joy shall have new birth, 

And, with new gladness leaping, 
Shall dance the radiant earth. 

Jerusalem our mother, 
Descending from on high, 

Shall bring to every brother 
A blessing from the sky ; 

And each shall see the other 
With love's redeeming eye. 

Oh ! days of rapturous wonder, 
When every eye shall see ; 

The veil is rent asunder, 
The people shall be free ; 

The seven voices thunder 
His Word of Liberty. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 65 

Dead Desire. 

• Hope deferred maketli the heart sick." — Proverbs. 

I would not see thee now, ah, no ! 

Nor call the dear past back again, 
For how shall summer roses blow 

In chill November's rain ? 
And how shall hearts that now are cold 
Meet as they used to meet of old ? 

I loved thee, yea, I love thee still, 
But as thou wert, not as thou art ; 

My dreams of thee must serve to thrill 
The pulses of my heart, 

For thou thyself might'st now dispel 

The memories I love so well. 

I loved thee, and my love was lost, 

A shipwrecked bark on storm-tossed sea ; 

I ventured all and paid the cost ; 
But let no wild tides bring to me 

The* drift and wreck of that rude gale, 

The shivered mast and wind- torn sail. 

Enough ! One year of love was mine, 
One year of joy, oh ! more than sweet ; 

A harvest rich of corn and wine, 

Gathered with sound of dancing feet ; 

But now that those dear days are fled, 

Let the dead year bury its dead. 



fart II. 



THE WORD RESTORED. 



b2 



THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 69 



" Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord : 
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as 
snow ; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as 
wool." — Isaiah i. 18. 

"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He 
removed our transgressions from us." — Psalm ciii. 12. 

" These are they which came out of great tribulation, 
and have washed their robes and made them white in the 
blood of the Lamb." — Rev. xii. 14. 

"I am the resurrection, and the life : he that believeth 
in me, though he were dead yet shall he live : and whosoever 
liveth and believeth in Me shall never die." — 

St. John xi. 25-26. 

" So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth ; 
it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish 
that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto 
I sent it." — Isaiah lv. 11. 

"As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort 
you ; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem." — 

Isaiah lxvi. 13. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 71 



Hymeneal Hymn. 

My lover is strong and terrible, 
Like the whirlwind in the valleys, 
Like the storm-cloud on the mountain; 
He speaks and my soul trembles, 
My soul trembles with fear and joy. 

Like the pine trees my soul quivers, 
Like the pine trees, when, swiftly rushing, 
Shaking their lofty branches, 
The wind cometh from afar. 

Sing on the high mountains, 
Sing in the low T valleys, 
Sing young men and maidens, 
Sing, sing for love and joy. 

He whom my soul loveth, 
He, my own soul's beloved, 
He, chosen out of all men, 
He calls me by my name. 

He leads me in the valleys, 
He bears me up the mountains, 
He lifts me where the eagles 
Build nests and rear their young. 



72 THE TBIUMPH OF TIME. 

High up in rocky places, 
Low down among the valleys, 
Where tender flowers are springing, 
Where gentle breezes blow. 

He, with strong arms around me, 
Guides me in dangerous passes, 
Cheers me with words of comfort, 
Points to the polar star. 

Stars in his eyes reflected, 
Brighter than steel his glances, 
Swifter than barbed arrows 
Piercing with light my heart. 

Oh, sing for he has called me, 
Called me to be his helpmeet, 
Called me to walk beside him 
Through life and unto death. 

Called me to scale the mountains, 
Called me to dwell in valleys, 
Called me to live in freedom 
Under God's holy sky. 

Darker than night, his locks are 
Black as the raven's plumage, 
Like clouds of night his tresses, 
Like stars of night his eyes. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 73 

By rocks and rushing rivers, 
Green glades and gladsome places, 
There will he gently lead me, 
There will he make me rest. 

Fair is his face as summer, 
Tender as early blossoms, 
Fruit trees with blossoms laden, 
Like his most tender smiles. 

young men and maidens ! 
Sing when my lover passes, 
Sing him glad songs of welcome, 
Songs of the morning star. 

Sing, birds, when day is dawning, 
Low songs of coming summer, 
Sweet songs of glowing sunlight, 
Songs of the golden sun. 

Flowers in the vales upspringing, 
Vines twining into garlands, 
Low flowers among the hedges, 
Bloom for my love is near. 

Wild flowers among the woodlands, 
Gay flowers in sunny gardens, 
Hillsides and purple mountains, 
Bloom for my love has come. 



74 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 

Break, break the bonds of winter, 
Trees shake your greenest garments, 
High up in slender branches, 
Woo, birds, and build your nests. 

He whom my soul loveth, 
He, my own soul's beloved, 
He, chosen out of all men, 
Calls me to be his own. 

Calls me to share his splendor, 
Calls me to be his helpmeet, 
Calls me to walk beside him, 
Under God's holy sky. 

Gems in the hidden places, 
These are my lover's treasures, 
Gold from the rocks and mountains, 
Gold from the secret mine. 

Bright gems of radiant colour, 
Sparkling with limpid beauty, 
Gleaming on neck and bosom, 
Clasping the slender arm. 

Pearls in my waving tresses, 
Strung pearls, like snow on silver, 
Pearls like the moon in waters, 
These will my lover bring. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 75 

Turquoise like skies at even, 
Blue as the flowers of brooklets, 
Blue as the eyes of maidens, 
This will my lover give. 

I, clad in golden raiment, 
Wearing his gems upon me, 
Clothed thus with love and gladness, 
Gladly will shout and sing. 

So with my train of maidens 
I will go forth to meet him, 
Treading the earth's green carpet 
Under my happy feet. 

Walking in joyous measure, 
Singing with happy voices, 
We will go forth to greet him, 
Him whom my soul doth love. 

Eyes as the stars of heaven, 
Hair like the night for blackness, 
Fair face like dawning summer, 
Brow T like the brow of kings. 

Strong is my love, and tender, 
Brighter than steel his glances, 
Swifter than barbed arrows 
Piercing with light my heart. 



76 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Lo ! how my soul doth tremble 
Like trees when winds are rushing, 
Yea, all my soul doth quiver 
Like leaves when winds do blow. 

Come, love, into thy garden, 
Come where the spice is growing, 
Come where my soul awaits thee, 
Come where my glad Heart sings. 

Strong are his arms to hold me, 
Strong are his hands to lead me, 
Strong is his heart to love me, 
Strong are his eagle wings. 

High on the mountain summit, 
Cold in the heat of summer, 
Breathing the clearest ether, 
There will we happy dwell. 

Low in the greenest valleys, 
Warm in the cold of winter, 
Cheered by the golden sunlight, 
There will we happy dream. 

There, with my love beside me, 
Lulled by the voice of waters, 
Soothed by their distant murmur, 
There may we happy sleep. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 77 

Rest when the day is over, 
Eest when the night is coming, 
Rest while the stars are shining, 
Clothed with night's silent peace. 

Souls sunk in restful slumber, 
Bathed with the dews of heaven, 
Watched by the starry clusters, 
Covered with brooding night. 



Chorus. 

Blessed be the earth beneath them, 
Blessed be the air around them, 
Blessed be the sky above them, 
Blessed be their holy sleep. 



78 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



Recompense. 

When, after many weary days 

At length I see my loved one's face, 
The goal of life's long weary race, 

That joyful moment me repays 

For all my hours of tedious toil 

And banishment from his dear sight ; 
My woes are then forgotten quite, 

Or only serve but as a foil 

To make the present joy more deep, 
As when one sinks in blissful sleep 

After a day of rude turmoil. 

My woes are past, my griefs are done 
When I can gaze on those dear eyes, 
Whose joyful glance of sweet surprise 

Tells me at last my goal is won, 
And, oh, the sense of peaceful rest 
When hand within strong hand is pressed, 

Fatigue and weariness are gone, 

Both vanished like a baneful dream, 
And blessed joy now reigns supreme, 

A sceptred queen upon love's throne. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 79 

His coming brings me balm and peace, 
My spirit hope and strength regains 
Like parched flowers in summer rains ; 

His tender words make discords cease ; 

E'en though we part, thy soul abides 
To soothe and cheer my loneliness ; 
This is my life and my redress, 

The thought in which my heart confides, 
That though our lives may lie apart, 
Yet heart must ever beat with heart. 



The Land of Silence. 

Under green trees, 'mid tender flowers, 
My love would have me dwell, 

Where leafy boughs entwine in bowers ; 
A land that I love well, 

A land of cool refreshing shade 

With far-off glimpse of sunlit glade ; 

And where hushed silence, calm and deep, 

Is felt and almost heard, 
Till one awakes as if from sleep, 

At sound of far-off bird 
Low calling to her distant mate, 
Who answering sings " I come love, wait ! 



80 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

So in that hushed and silent land, 
The land of mystic dreams, 

I, like a shadow, silent stand 
Where glinting sunlight streams, 

And, half awake and half asleep, 

My heart doth its long vigil keep. 

Only the cry of that lone bird, 
That tender, yearning cry, 

Breaking the silence almost heard, 
Waking its mate's reply, 

Seems like the call of my lone heart, 

And at the sound the tear-drops start ; 

The tear-drops start and fall from eyes 
Long, long unused to tears, 

And tender sobs and broken sighs, 
And passionate hopes and fears, 

With dreams of love long laid to rest, 

Awake within my yearning breast, 

The bird sings loud, it throbs and trills 

" Oh, fly my love to me," 
That pleading note my being thrills, 

" My love, I fly to thee." 
The answering bird now loudly sings, 
And speeds his way with eager wings, 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 81 

Awake ! dreaming heart, awake ! 

Lift up thy voice in song 
With thrilling tones, the silence break 

With echoes deep and long, 
Till that lost wandering heart be found, 
Sing till the hills and vales resound. 

lonely bird ! O lonely heart ! 

tender, yearning cry ! 
Two lives that long had lain apart, 

Now brought for ever nigh ; 
Two birds asleep upon one nest, 
With naught to break the silence blest. 






82 THE TBIUMPH OF TIME. 



Sonnet. 



"Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in 
generations." — Psalm xc. 1. 



O my beloved, hide and rest in me, 

Sleep, my beloved, pillowed on my breast, 

Sleep on the heart that aches to give thee rest, 

Lulled by the murmurs of the distant sea, 

The low-voiced waves, the wind's wild minstrelsy, — 

Lulled deep in sweet repose and slumbers blest, 

Of every care and sorrow dispossessed, 

On sleep's light wings we sail the ether free, 

For so He giveth His beloved sleep ; 

The earth forgetting, they ascend on high 

And drink pure draughts from fountains clear and 

And find their home eternal in the sky, [.deep, 

Where never a weary soul doth mourn or weep, 

For He doth wipe the tears from every eye. 



THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 83 



" Seek and Ye shall Find." 



I followed far my Love to find, 

I waiting, sought his love to win, 
" His heart to God I will rebind," 

I said " Christ, cleanse his sin ! " 
I hid my pain from day to day, 

Lest he should grieve to see my grief ; 
I hid my love and strove to pray, 

But prayer brought no relief : 
In some lone place I longed to hide, 
And could have laid me down and died. 

I sang a hundred songs of love, 

Of love on earth and love in heaven, 
Songs of the lonely, cooing dove, 

Of the stars and the colours seven ; 
The rhythmic sounds of waves and seas 

When moonlit waters washed my feet, 
The murmurs of the sighing breeze, 

I wove in music wild and sweet ; 
I sang of love in ages past, 
And of dim futures strange and vast. 

f2 



84 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

My loved one listened to my songs, 
His opening heart grew like a rose ; 

As nightingale one note prolongs, 
I sang, and sang " heart unclose, 

crimson petals deep unfold 

Ere heart be dead within my breast, 
Ere beating heart be dead and cold, 
Eold it within its place of rest : " 

1 know not how it came to be, 
But oh ! my Love at last loved me. 

At last his radiant eyes sought mine, 

Upon my face his kisses fell ; 
My heart was gladdened as with wine, 

And joy too deep for tongue to tell : 
O joy, so pure ! joy, so deep ! 

It oped the gates of Paradise ; 
And hand-in-hand we fell asleep, 

And felt our winged spirits rise, — 
Par from the earth, in boundless space, 
We sought our heavenly dwelling-place. 

Though here we two are sundered yet, 

In heaven our waiting spirits meet ; 
O golden days ! When I forget 

Your promise of new days more sweet, 
Then let my heart forget to sing 

The songs I learned in Paradise, 
And let forgetfulness then bring 

The night of death where no suns rise, 
And let my name be known no more 
When I forget those days of yore. 



fart III. 



JUDGMENTS. 






" The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous 
altogether." 



THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 87 

Follow after Love. 

11 Draw me, we will run after." 

I followed Love one day, 

He flew away ; 
Now I must flee, 
Oh ! will Love follow me ? 

Will he press after with no turning back, 
Along my painful track ? 
I followed him footsore 
In days of yore. 

I followed him with weary, bleeding feet, 
And though the way was long I found it sweet ; 
Sweet was the service, sweet the toil and pain, — 
I found it gain. 

But now another path I tread, 

Yea, I must go, 

Nor whither do I know, 
Perchance with tears to eat of bitter bread, 
Yea, silently the hidden tears must flow 

Where I am led. 



88 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



There is no joy for me in that far land, 

Only the rest that comes when work is done, 
And work is weary when one works alone, 

Longing to feel the clasp of one strong hand, 
But work is joyful when two work as one. 

Will Love go with me to that lonely land ? 

Or will he follow where my steps have led ? 
Will he uphold me when I scarce can stand ? 

When faltering lips still pray for daily bread 
Will he with blessings fill my feeble hand, 
In that far land ? 

I may not seek Love now, 
Nay, I must flee ; 
I followed Love, oh, will Love follow me ; 
He will I trow. 

Yea, will he follow with no turning back ? 

Will he press after in my losing race ? 
Will he seek me as once I sought his face ? 

If Love be with me I shall nothing lack. 



THE TBIUMPH OF TIME. 89 

If Love be with me, yea, the wilderness 

Shall nevermore be called a desert place ; 

Love, sweet Love, let me but see thy face ! 
And hear thy voice filled full of tenderness ; 
My waste of sands shall blossom as the rose, 

And as a giant I shall run my race, 
Eefreshed by streams where living water flows, 

Held fast in Love's deep heart, in his embrace, 
Hidden with him secure where no man knows. 



The Sacrificial Doves. Lev. xiv. 

No. I. 

Lo ! I am thine ; 
Soul linked with soul and heart entwined with 

Dost thou repine [heart ; 

That thou and I must part ? 

Wilt thou withhold thy dove ; 

Thyself from God ? 
Or, on the altar lay 

Thy flesh and blood ? 

Twin doves were we, 

Twin doves upon one nest, 

Circling the ether free, 

Or cooing, breast to breast. 



90 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

But God required a cleansing sacrifice : 

One to be slain, 
And one, living, to rise 

Free o'er the plain, 
On the incense-laden air ; 

Wilt thou regain 
Thy freedom, wilt thou bear , 

Upon thy breast 
The blood of thy lost mate ? 

Seeking thy lonely nest, 
Wilt thou await 
In loneliness and silence, the long night, 
Disconsolate and evermore alone ? 
slain and living bird that shalt atone, 
O crimson drops clinging to breast snow-white, 
That shall avail to heal and cleanse from sin, 
O dear blood shed, sprinkled upon his heart, 
Whose life was bound in thine, 
Yea, deep within. 
Part of the living sacrifice thou art, 

The sacrifice divine, 
Fitted and joined to every human need, 
Yea, part of Him whose flesh is bread indeed, 
Whose blood is living wine. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 91 



Interlude. 

Grieve not though I should die, 

Grieve not for me ; 
He doeth all things well, 
It shall be well with thee. 

It shall be well with thee, 
Whether I die or live ; 
He taketh, he can give ; 
Grieve not for me. 

Whether I stay or go, 
He doeth all things well ; 

His ways no man can know, 
His wisdom none can tell. 

But trust Him, aching heart, 
Thou shalt not grieve ; 

Trust Him, let doubt depart, 
Trust and believe. 



92 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



The Sacrificial Doves, lev. xiv. 

No. II. 

I bring to thee the scarlet, 
The hyssop and the wood 
Of cedar, and the living bird, 
To sprinkle with the blood 
Of that dead bird in sacrifice, 
Then let the living bird arise. 

Free on the incense- laden air 

The living bird shall fly, 
And on his breast that bird shall bear 

The blood, for one must die ; 
Oh, which shall live and which be slain, 
Since life is loss and death is gain ? 

Yet both are meet for sacrifice, 

And each would gladly die 
So that the other might arise 

In freedom to the sky ; 
Oh ! wilt thou, lonely, live for me 
When I am slain, my Love, for thee ? 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 93 

Oh ! wilt thou live when I am gone, 

And bear my crimson blood 
Upon thy breast, and fly alone 

O'er hill and plain and wood ? 
Yea, bear upon thy snowy breast 
That crimson sign from east to west. 

That sign that dumbly witnesseth 

Of cleansing by the slain, 
Of sacrificial life and death, 

Of double loss and gain. 
By life and death we shall atone, 

Living or dead we shall be one. 






94 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

" Man cannot live by bread alone." 

By bread alone we do not live, 

God, we live in Thee ! 
Thy Word must strengthening succour give, 

Thy truth must make us free, 
Thy love must make our love increase 
And guide us in the paths of peace. 

We live in Thee, in Thee we hide, 

No human eye can see 
That home where our two souls abide 

In mutual ecstasy ; 
Though rocky places of the earth 
Our feet do tread, we know no dearth. 

My Love is comely in mine eyes, 

And I am fair in his ; 
Oh, more than gold his words I prize, 

Than wine his holy kiss ; 
And we can bear earth's poverty, 
So rich in all love's wealth are we. 

The stars shine pure with holy light, 
The birds sing sweet and clear, 

The flowers are pleasant to our sight, 
All living things are dear, 

For thou art with us, blessed Lord, 

And all obey the living Word. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 95 



Saved as by Fire. 

I burn my ships, I shall return no more 

To that far land of dreams from whence I came, 

My lot is cast upon another shore, 

And on my soul is written a new name ; 

The past is dead, sealed are my silent lips, 

They shall cry out no more ; I burn my ships 
And all the sea is reddened by the name. 

I burn my ships that bore me o'er deep seas, 
O'er tropic waters sultry in their calm, 

I burn my ships that caught the wakening breeze, 
And bore me far away to Isles of Palm ; 

Lest siren voices lure me to return, 

With sacrificial fire my ships I burn, 

And tune my harp to sing King David's Psalm. 

I will return no more ; be Thou my rock, 
My fortress, my defence, my hiding place, 

Secure with Thee I dread no earthquake shock, 
Thou art my light, hide not Thy holy face ; 

Deep are Thy judgments, yet in my distress 

I am borne up in arms of tenderness, 

Like giant refreshed I run anew my race. 



96 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Thy hand was heavy on me day and night, 
And parched was my land for lack of rain, 

I bowed my soul before Thee, in Thy sight 

Acknowledged all my sins and groaned in pain ; 

Then Thou forgavest me and raised me up, 

And filled again with wine my fallen cup, 

And gave new life for life that had been slain. 

Oh ! shall not I now of thy mercy sing ? 

I trust in Thee, Lord ! Thou art my God, 
My spirit I commit to Thee, King ! 

Who hast redeemed me by Thy chastening rod, 
Who hast revealed to me Thy Holy Name, 
And purged my soul by judgment and by flame, 

And held me in the paths Thy feet have trod. 

I will not fear what man can do to me, 
For am I not Thy daughter, my King ? 

Yea, Thou canst bind and Thou canst set me free, 
Silent I wait on Thee or joyful sing ; 

When Thou dost bid me, lo ! my voice I'll raise 

High to the Heavens in songs of gladdening praise, 
Or stand in silence wdthout questioning. 






THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 97 



11 There was a noise, and behold a shaking, and the bones 
came together, bone to his bone. 

14 Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon 
these slain, that they may live." — Ezekiel xxxvii. 7 & 9. 



Flesh of thy flesh I am, 

Bone of thy bone, 
Slain with Thee, spotless Lamb, 

Eisen as one, 
Wrapped in God's oriflarnme, 

His Will be done. 

Yea, let it be to me 

As my God wills ; 
Winged life let go free, 

His law fulfils ; 
Winged life bear with Thee, 

Blood that He spills. 

Sundered we cannot be, 

Whom God has set 
Under His canopy, 

Can God forget ? 

His Word was our decree, 

In Him we met. 

G 



98 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Ill Him is hid our life, 
In Him our death, 

By Him the sacred knife 
Eobs us of breath, 

Peace ends our mortal strife, 
Hear what He saith. 

He whom my spirit leads, 

Is born of God ; 
He whom the Father feeds, 

Feels not the rod ; 
He who in anguish bleeds, 

Christ's ways hath trod. 

Part of one sacrifice 
Merged in the slain, 

Counted as of great price, 
Holy through pain ; 

His love shall them suffice, 
His strength sustain. 

Lo, it shall be to them 

As they desire, 
Set in God's diadem, 

Saved as by fire, 
Their glory shall not dim, 

Flames shall aspire. 



THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 99 

Thou Knowest. 

Be Thou my Judge ! 
Thou knowest all my sins and all my woes, 

Be Thou my Judge ! 
Man cannot judge my cause, for no man knows 
The long fierce struggle ere sin overcame 
E'en for a little time, the judgment flame 
That purged from sin, the cries that heavenward rose 
From out my stricken heart ; shall I disclose 
The stains, the scars, the wounds that grief hath 

made ? 
Shall I confess, that all may see my shame ? 
Or wilt Thou hide me by Thy Holy Name 
Where none can me molest or make afraid? 
Oh, wilt Thou hide me, Father, in Thy breast, 
A stricken dove with bruised and broken wing ? 
The hunters wounded me, I fly to nest, 
Heart-sore, heart-weary, with no strength to sing ; 
A bruised reed, Father, wilt Thou break, 
Or wilt Thou save me for Thine own love's sake ? 
Only to Thee, the miscreant's hope, I cling, 
Only to Thee, Father, can I cry, 
Only to Thee, my Saviour, dare I come ; 
By law's decree I am condemned to die 
An outcast, lonely, without friends or home ; 
What wilt Thou do for me, sinners' Friend ? 
Oh ! wilt Thou save and clothe me by Thy grace ? 

g2 



100 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Wilt Thou for poverty Thy riches lend ? 

Wilt Thou shed light from Thy most Holy Face ? 

Light that shall guide and strengthen and defend ? 

Lo ! I believe, what other hope have I ? 

Lo ! I believe, dejected as I am, 

That Thou canst heal and cleanse and purify ; 

Washed in Thy Blood, sacrificial Lamb, 

I shall be cleansed from every spot and stain, 

Made one with Thee, holiest of the slain, 

Enclosed about as with an orinamme. 

Thy love is boundless, yea, it reaches me. 

How 7 shall I limit Thy great power to save ? 

Thy judgments are as deep as the deep sea, 

And jealousy as cruel as the grave ; 

But love cannot be quenched by w T aters deep, 

And though Thy waves of judgment o'er me sweep, 

From out the deeps for mercy still I crave. 

Have I not seen Thy mercies with mine eyes ? 

And Thy salvation hath been very near ; 

And e'en the life mine enemies despise 

Hath in Thy sight been precious and most dear ; 

Yea, Thou hast lifted me when I have lain 

Low T in the dust and brought me to Thy feet, 

And wiped away the memory of my pain, 

And fed me with the food that angels eat, 

And though the hunters' arrows pierce me still, 

Thou wilt not give them, Father, all their' will, 

Yea, that last deadly shaft Thou wilt restrain. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 101 

I have been fair in my beloved one's sight, 
Thou niadest me as the lily and the rose, 
Thou clothed' st me with the splendours of the night, 
The moon's soft beams, the silent, sweet repose 
That comes with evening's shades ; Thou gav'st 

me songs 
To soothe his soul to slumbers long and deep ; 
Thou fill'dst his heart with pity for the wrongs 
That made my heart to bleed, mine eyes to weep ; 
However dark had been mine outward sin, 
Thou niadest me, Lord, all glorious within, 
The fairest of all women in his eyes ; 
How would it be with me should he despise 
The soul of her whom Thou hast made his love ; 
If my truth shews as web of woven lies, 
How will it be with me ? how will it prove ? 
Plead Thou my cause, O God ! my lips are sealed, 
The wounds the hunters made, Thy love hath 

healed ; 
And who shall show the grief that Thou would'st 

hide? 
Plead Thou my cause, God ! between us stand, 
Whom Thou hast joined in heart join now in hand ; 
Shew me as One who lives in One who died, 
Clothe me with Christ's own power of lowliness, 
^Yitll meekness, love, and all humility ; 
Oh ! let my virtues now atone, redress, 



102 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

That I may dwell in love's security, 
Buried my sin and shame, buried my pride ; 
Yea, if Thou wilt, I shall be fair as bride 
Clothed with the goodness of futurity ; 
Show me to him as one whom love redeemed 
And rescued from the pit of lowest hell ; 
Show me as one w T hose garment is unseamed, 
Whose living faith can future goodness tell ; 
Show me as one whom Thou hast loved and 

crowned, 
And healed and cleansed and clothed and made 

more fair 
Than in her first estate ; low from the ground 
Lift me that I may float in radiant air, 
Eedeemed by judgment, purged by cleansing fire ; 
Toward Thy mercy-seat the flames aspire 
O sacrifice supreme, holy flame ! 
Dead, dead, in Him receive the unwritten name, 
The name that shall fulfil your heart's desire. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 103 



,k Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or 
to a young hart upon the mountains of spices." — 

Solomon's Soxg viii. 14. 



Like an avalanche my love runs fast, 

My soul is borne away, 
Secure within his arms at last, 

I know nor night nor day, 
Life, death, and time seem whirling past, 

I feel his power to slay. 

But firm in life and firm in death 

My lover holds me fast, 
The power of his awakening breath 

Upon my soul is cast, 
In all he doth, in all he saith. 

I feel some purpose vast. 

He thrills me and he conquers me, 

I know that I am his, 
Yet, bound in him, I still am free, 

Sealed by his righteous kiss ; 
God of our divinity, 

Seal Thou our holy bliss. 



104 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 

Set Thou Thy seal upon our hearts, 

Control, direct, restrain, 
God of mysterious counterparts, 

Seal not our hearts in vain, 
Protect us from sin's subtle darts, 

Lest we by sin be slain. 

Oh ! let us, by thy mercy-seat 

Watching the sacrifice, 
Thrice Holy Lord, Thy Name repeat, 

Nor turn away our eyes ; 
Living upon Thy mercies sweet, 

We dwell in Paradise. 

We die with Thee, we live in Thee, 
On Thee our eyes are set, 

And sanctified eternally, 

In Thee our souls have met ; 

Rooted in Thee our wills are free, 
Buried our deep regret. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 105 

Christian Marriage. 

Husband and Wife. 



Husband and wife ! O holy names 

Delivered as from God, 
To banish strife, saved as by flames, 

Smitten beneath the rod ; 
The voice of God Himself proclaims 

The way that ye have trod. 

Saved as by fire and washed from stains, 

Made glorious within, 
Knowing the travail and the pains, 

The suffering of sin, 
Knowing the sacrificial gains, 

Feeling Christ's life begin. 

Part of the Lamb, forever slain, 

Art thou, O man ! to be ; 
And woman cleansed by love's great pain, 

Jerusalem the free, 
Made glorious without a stain, 

God's power descend on thee ! 



106 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Upon her head the crown shall rest, 

Because angelic wings 
Encompass her on heavenly quest, 

And her own angel sings, 
Leading her on by visions blest, 

And heavenly comfort brings. 

The twelve foundation stones are laid— 

Apostles of the Lamb — 
And on the pearly gates displayed, 

Lambent as oriflamme, 
The many names in one conveyed 

Of Israel's great I AM. 

And learning, glory, wealth and power 
The nations bring to Thee, 

O Israel's daughter ! yea, thy dower 
Shall more than queenly be ; 

Upon thy neck, as on a tower, 
Hang shields of majesty. 

O virgin daughter ! bride most fair ! 

Thy clothing of wrought gold 
Shall thy inherent grace declare, 

And virtues manifold ; 
Thy raiment, which the virgins wear 

Shall nevermore wax old. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 107 

Forsake thy father's house, queen ! 

Forget thy first estate, 
And let thy glorious light be seen 

Shining through eastern gate, 
Clear as a crystal white and green, 

Where all the virgins wait. 

O bridegroom ! love thy lowly bride 
As Christ His Church doth love, 

One, who for her perfecting died, 
Waits on His throne above 

Until your hearts be sanctified, 
His love on earth to prove, 

And bride, in thy dear spouse behold 

The Lamb of sacrifice, 
As captive thou wert bought and sold 

Till He laid down thy price ; 
His blood, more precious far than gold, 

For ransom shall suffice. 

The law of liberty is thine, 

The crown of Solomon ; 
Gaze ever on the face divine, 

Eejoice in victory won, 
The marriage feast of bread and wine, 

Declares His reign begun. 



108 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Eule in our hearts, Immanuel ! 

O Child unto us born, 
Thy love shall all our discords quell, 

Thy virtues us adorn ; 
Put forth Thy rod whose dual spell 

Shall bring Thy bridal morn. 



Mystical Death. 

A little while to love, 
A little while to lie 
Upon thy breast, then O my dove ! 
To lie alone and die. 

A little while to smile, 
A little while to sleep 
Upon thy breast, a little while 
And then long days to weep. 

Look long in loving eyes, 
Caress the flower-like face, 
For parting comes, and death's surprise 
Must unlock love's embrace. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 109 

The winds the waters move, 
And like the wind's low sigh 
Is fleeting life, and my love ! 
Death will not pass us by ! 

A fluttering of the heart, 
A quivering of the breath, 
Then peace serene in every part : 
Beloved, this is death. 

An aching of the heart, 
A long and weary strife, 
Swift tears that tell of sudden smart : 
Beloved, this is life. 

I shall not suffer, sweet, 
When body is laid low, 
One long straight line from head to feet, 
And shroud as white as snow. 

I shall not suffer much 
When tired heart will not beat 
But dream of thine aw r akening touch, 
And all thy kisses sweet. 



110 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Pour oil upon my head, 
Anoint me for the grave, 
Nor grieve for me when I am dead, 
For God hath power to save. 

From death he calls forth life, 
In life he asks for death, 
And His the peace, and His the strife, 
The life-blood and the breath. 



: The Strange, Sad Charm of Death. ,r 

Oh ! let me die and go away, 

Away from all my pain, 
I cannot rest, I cannot stay, 

I would not live again, 
Oh ! let me go to heaven above, 
Where I may dream of thee, my love ! 

I'll watch thee, dear, from that far place, 

And if my silent tears 
Fall on thy weeping, upturned face, 

Through the sad lonely years 
They'll seem to thee like holy balm, 
And soothe thy heart to peaceful calm. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. Ill 

There none will blame and none will chide 

Because I love my love, 
All other loves must pale beside 

My only one, my dove ; 
I, hidden there by leafy screen, 
May watch afar and love unseen. 

There will I watch and wait for thee, 

In hidden, secret bowers, 
O'ershadowed by the Living Tree, 

Plucking immortal flowers ; 
There will my soul its vigil keep 
Till we two sink in endless sleep. 



112 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



A Night of Roses. 

A night of roses ! all the air was filled 
With strange perfume and odours rare and sweet, 
When love came dancing with her winged feet, 
From out thy heart to mine, my being thrilled 
With new delight, and every fear was stilled. 
O converse low ! lips that meet and meet, 
Sweet as the roses blown in love's retreat, 
Sprung from the nectar that the gods had spilled 
A night of love ! A night of pure delight 
With music throbbing through the perfumed air, 
Eoses blood-red, blush-pink, and creamy white, 
Sweet fragrant roses blooming everywhere ; 
Strange flowers revealed to our inner sight, 
Immortal roses for my love to wear ! 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 113 



Song. 

Across the sea, across the sea 
Thy dove must fly, thy love rnust flee, 
Oh ! wilt thou follow, follow me, 
My love, across the sea ? 

Across the waste, the watery waste, 
Thy dove must speed, thy love must haste ; 
How like salt tears the sea winds taste, 
Blown from the watery waste. 

O'er waters wide, o'er waters wide, 
Thy dove must flee, thy love must hide ; 
Where shall her lonely heart abide, 
Across the waters wide ? 

Oh ! for a nest, a little nest, 
Where our two lonely hearts might rest, 
Builded by Him who buildeth best, 
One peaceful, holy nest. 

Oh ! for a place, a resting place 
Where we might meet, Love, face to face ; 
Lord, in the fulness of Thy grace, 
Grant us this resting place. 

H 



114 THE TBITJMPH OF TIME. 

The Winged Harp. 

My heart a harp is of a thousand strings, 
Thy hand the hand that all its music wakes, 
Touch but the chords and into song it breaks, 
With quivering delight it throbs and sings, 
And like a bird mounts up on airy wings, 
Vibrating with the joy the song-bird makes 
When from his throat the pearly notes he shakes, 
And on the air exultant rapture flings. 
O living harp that throbs beneath thy hand ! 
O winged heart that sings through joy or pain ! 
Fly, fly on wings of song to that bright land, 
Where hearts that love can nevermore be twain ; 
Where loving souls like one fair angel stand 
Singing one holy song, one heavenly strain. 



" He feedeth among the lilies." 
" I sleep, but my heart waketh. 

Where lilies blow my Love doth feed, 
Where lilies blow and waters break, 

Fly, thoughts, to him, on wings of speed, 
Tell him for him my heart doth wake. 

I sleep, but oh ! my waking heart 
Doth her long patient vigil keep ; 

When shall day bring me where thou art 
And Love arouse me from my sleep ? 



THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 115 



Sonnet. 

Henceforth I will believe that thou dost love, 
Time shall not blot this vision from my sight, 
Nor the long toil of day, nor sleep of night, 
Nor power of fate, that doth so far remove 
Thy life from mine ; these things Love's strength 

shall prove ; 
And loving hearts do find his service light ; 
Would we escape it, loved one, if we might ? 
We serve on earth to meet in Heaven above. 
I will believe, though all the world say nay, 
Love is no summer flower that blooms to die ; 
Love is no mortal child that death can slay. 
Hidden beyond the reach of every eye 
The rose of love doth bloom eternally, 
And in its heart the sleeping God doth lie. 



116 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



Song. 

What hast thou given to me that other men might 

not have given ? 
Lo ! thou hast left me free to bow my soul unstained, 

to One in Heaven, 
Nor any thought, or word, or deed, of thine 
Hath held my soul from worshipping the Divine. 

What have I given to thee that other women, too, 

might not have given ? 
I bowed on bended knee and lifted high my gift to 

One in Heaven. 
God took my heart of flame — His love divine 
Bead, deep within, a name, that name was thine. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 117 



Chorus. 

Winged heart, winged lyre, 
Filled with love and holy fire, 
God shall make thy life aspire, 
God shall make thee free. 

" Hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise Him who is 
the light of my countenance and my God." 



fart III. 



BUILDING THE HOUSE. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 121 

" The desire of wisdom bringeth to a kingdom. Give me 
wisdom that sitteth by Thy throne and reject me not from 
among Thy children. And hardly do we guess aright at 
things that are upon the earth, and with labour do we find 
the things that are before us : but the things that are in 
heaven who hath searched out ? 

Mysteries are revealed unto the meek." 

The Name. 

Insatiable desire 
For that which is forbidden, 
Consumes my bones like fire ; 
The secret which is hidden 
Evades the searching cravings of my lust, 
And serpent counsel turns my gods to dust. 

Seek, and ye shall find ; 

Knock, it shall be open ; 

Laws like fetters bind 

Love, (0 ! word unspoken). 
That shall fulfil the letter of the law, 
And purge all hearts from every stain and flaw. 

Wonderful design, 

God and Nature blended, 

Harmony divine, 

All our discords ended. 
The ends of the whole earth on him are poured, 
Christ Jesus, — name by every soul adored. 



122 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 

Building the House. 

" Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain 
that build it ; except the Lord keep the city the watchman 
waketh but in vain." Psalms cxxvii. 

Thou who taught the bee to build her cell, 

And planned a nest for every little bird, 

Teach me to build a home where love may dwell, 

Where ne'er one note of discord may be heard. 

Firm on a rock plant my foundations deep, 

Then watch me with Thine eye that doth not sleep, 

Encamp me round with cloudy tower and sword. 

Except the Lord himself do build my house, 
My hands may strive and toil yet nothing gain, 
Except the Lord the city keep, arouse 
The watchman if ye will, lost is your pain ; 
In vain ye rise so early, sit up late, 
In vain do ye the bread of sorrows eat, 
Yea, all your watching and your labour vain. 

But build the walls of fair Jerusalem, 

The Highest shall Himself establish thee, 

With polished corner stones and many a gem, 

Set in thy walls a shining galaxy. 

Yea, lay her stones with colours fair and fine, 

There let the sardius gleam, the sapphire shine, 

Set in pure gold brought from beyond the sea. 



THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 123 



Of cedar beams the Lord my house shall build, 

Of well-cut stones fitted without a sound, 

The rafters shall be joined by hands well skilled, 

And no unwilling workman shall be found 

In all the band of goodly companies, 

Hewing the stately fir and cedar trees, 

With fitting words they pass the tools around. 

In olden time when Hiram, King of Tyre, 
Sent messengers to David, builders all, 
They built King David's house at his desire, 
And laid the stones of the foundation wall. 
And all the galleries of fir did make, 
And David knew that he for Israel's sake 
Established was, their King beyond recall. 

Then did his loyal heart and soul require 
Another house, where ark of God might rest, 
To that high dignity he did aspire, 
To build a sanctuary pure and blest, 
Where Ark of Covenant might find repose, 
And from his lips this mighty prayer arose, 
To be of God's great holy name possessed. 



124 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



God heard, and answered David's righteous prayer, 

And gave to him a son to live and reign, 

And David knew this son should be his heir, 

And build the Temple and great wisdom gain ; 

And that his line should live in Solomon, 

That when his days on earth were past and done, 

His seed should after him great power attain. 

Thus did the Lord King David's prayer fulfil, 

He planted wisdom in his flesh and blood, 

In Solomon accomplished the will 

Of David, w T hose One seed forever stood. 

And' shall forever stand, we worship now 

The King from David's line, with thorns on brow, 

The root and offspring of that kingdom good. 

From David's line sweet Mary full of grace 
Was found, the willing handmaid of the Lord : 
She worshipped, kneeling in the very place 
Where David prayed God's name might be adored. 
O prayer whose power down all the ages came, 
'Till lowly Mary heard the wondrous name, 
And in her womb conceived the hidden Word. 



THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 125 



prayer whose power is wrestling with the seed 
Of David now, Great King descend again, 
The Kingdom that is Thine in very deed, 
Idolatry hath rent, parted in twain, 
Pray that Thy kingdom now may be made one, 
Euled over, governed, by Thy Lord, the Son; 
Christ Jesus come and heal a nation's pain. 

We pray that outcast sons may be recalled, 
Established the wanderers of Thy tribe, 
The princes of the people be installed 
With priest, and Levite, warrior and scribe. 
O Judah ! Judah ! when thy King was killed 
The earth was ransomed by the blood then spilled ; 
Behold how God returns the Judas bribe. 



Oh ! build the house again that He may reign, 
Triumphant now o'er all the conquered earth ; 
Gather the fruits of his celestial pain, 
With shouts of joy welcome His second birth. 
A nation's prayers and cries at length prevail, 
Immanuel comes, Hail ! Mary, Mother, Hail ! 
Through Thee we shall again the Son bring forth. 



126 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



"The City Lieth Four Square." 

To enter in at the straight gate, 
Many the things we must leave behind, 
But do not tarry, Oh ! do not wait, 
Lest maimed and halt, or weak and blind 
We come at last to the closing door 
We should have entered long before, 
And hear the voice cry out " Too late." 

" Eun, ruu my Love, like hart or hind," 

" Yea, come my sister let us flee," 

" Draw me, we run as swift as wind, 

The virgins follow after thee." 

The Bridegroom cometh he will not wait, 

To lead the Bride through the pearly gate, 

And those that are ready the way shall find. 

Oh ! tell me my Love of that Bride most fair : 
Her robe is white linen and broidered gold, 
Bright jewels gleam in her shining hair, 
The gems on her bosom are manifold. 
Like a queen she sits in royal state, 
The Bridegroom cometh he will not wait, 
But the hour of his coming can none declare. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 127 

Bright city, fair things shall be found in thee, 

Fair to the sight and sweet to the ear, 

Sounds of tabrets and minstrelsy, 

Voices of maidens in praises clear. 

The kingdom is ready for King and Bride, 

And happy are they who are found inside : 

Be ready, the Bridegroom we soon shall see. 

city of gardens and pearly gates, 

Guarded forever by angel wings, 

Blest is the being who penetrates, 

To the throne where the great white angel sings. 

Blessed is he who can pass through fire 

Unscathed to the place of his heart's desire, 

And receive his crown from the Bride who waits. 

Nought that defileth can enter in, 

Only the holy can see their Lord, 

Purged by deep judgments from stain and sin, 

Smitten asunder by two-edged sword. 

vision of beauty beyond compare, 

More bright than the sun, than the moon more fair : 

The Queen is crowned, let her reign begin. 



Mntnlnbt. 



CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION. 



" By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept when 
we remembered Zion.'' 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 131 



I. 



I have renounced Love's ways, — Oh ! not for me 
Blooms the red rose, or wakes the poet's lyre, 
Nor shall I reach the goal of my desire, 
With unquiet soul as restless as the sea, 
Whose moon- swayed tides roll on unceasingly, 
With ebb and flow that never seems to tire, 
Yet have no power to quench Love's quenchless fire, 
Nor from my deep despair to set me free. 
We met ; and Love arose as from the dead, 
For memory filled rne with the former grace, 
I gazed once more on thy love-lighted face, 
And thought the lonely years of sorrow fled, 
But now alone in this far desert place, 
I know our hungering hearts on husks have fed. 



i2 



132 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



II. 



Love, I bartered all, nor counted cost, 

1 gave my heart as freely as my life, 

And would have smiled had you with deadly knife 
Pierced that, for then my soul had not been lost, 
Nor all my future with mad tumults tossed ; 
Fed on the bitter fruits of cruel strife, 
Hardened by rankling thoughts, with discords rife, 
And all its pleasant places marred and crossed. 
Your love like sunshine on my cold life fell, 
And soon it turned to soft descending rain, 
And neath thy touch as by enchanter's spell, , 
My wintry land blossomed with flowers again, — 
Then the mad hurricane in one fell hour, 
With rudest blast destroyed each tree and flower. 



III. 



And thus I tread a path of loneliness 
'Mid mountain rocks, o'er sandy desert ways. 
Through long and lonely nights, through sultry days, 
No voices soothe with songs of tenderness, 
No hand binds up my wounds, — in my distress 
I dare not list to words of cheerful praise, 
And conscience on me heavy burdens lays ; 
My heart is silent and companionless. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 133 

The songs of Zion, how shall they be sung 
By the sad streams made bitter by our tears ? 
Shall tones of gladness from dead hearts be wrung ? 
What shall atone for sweet youth's wasted years? 
The cords have snapt that w T ere too tightly strung, 
And all my life a ruinous waste appears. 



IV. 



And yet from that dead waste there may arise 
A glad new heaven, a new created earth ; 
At His command my soul may have new birth, 
And upward wing its flight toward bluer skies. 
And see with vision's clear far-reaching eyes 
Beyond the discord and beyond the dearth 
To that bright land of song and purest mirth 
Where angels minister, where babes are wise. 
At His command the glorious light appeared, 
At His command the waters must divide, 
Wisdom restrains that foaming rushing tide, 
And at His word the hoary hills were reared ; 
Holy Name ! to every heart endeared, 
Saving Eock where humblest heart may hide. 



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THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 137 

Song. 

sweet oblivion, of all things thou art best, 

Never to weep again — ever to rest, 

Sunk deep within the deep eternal breast. 



When Beauty Fades. 

" When Thou with rebukes dost chasten man for sin, 
Thou makest his beauty to consume like as it were a moth 
fretting a garment ; every man therefore is but vanity." 

Psalm xxxix. 12. 

I. 

When beauty fades from off the pallid cheek, 
When tender eyes with love -light cease to glow, 
When sunny hair bleaching with streaks of snow 
Veils the sad face, when voice with age grows weak, 
Wilt thou love on, fond lover? wilt thou seek 
With loyal care for signs of long ago 
When at thy coming many a rose did blow, 
And joyous radiance did full welcome speak ? 
Sufficed with hallowed memories of the past 
Wilt thou love on love's promise to fulfil ? 
Or wilt away that dear remembrance cast 
Seeking in present joy that past to kill? 
Or wilt thou love me only first and last, 
Thy fading rose, that holds love's fragrance still ? 



138 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



II. 



So I be fair to thee, I care not when 
I lose the bloom that other eyes admire ; 
When I lose grace for thee let kind hands 'tire 
Me in my burial-robes and hide me, then 
I shall have lived too long in sight of men. 
If thy love fickle prove, let me retire 
To some dim solitude, and there expire 
Alone, forgotten, out of sight and ken. 
Tell me what grace in me first won thy heart ? 
What did'st thou find in me worthy to prize ? 
Oh ! was it not for some immortal part 
Eather than for that fair which fades and dies ? 
Did'st thou not say " I love thee as thou art 
And as thou shalt be when the dead shall rise? " 



III. 

Yea, love me so before my roses fade, 
That thou wilt love me even in the grave ; 
For that unchanging love my heart doth crave ; 
The thieving hand of time will not be stayed, 
And year by year and month by month are paid 
The drops of living blood, and none can save 
From his great ravage ; stealing like a knave 
Stalks Death behind, and will not be gainsayed. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 139 

But if thou love roe they can do no harm, 
I laugh at each when sheltered by sure love ; 
Time passes swift and brings me no alarm ; 
Death nearer stalks, my soul sits free above ; 
Thou dost not love me for my passing charm, 
But for that grace which shall eternal prove. 



When Roses Bloom 

When roses bloom in Autumn days, 

Sweet with the fragrance of the Spring, 

They bring to mind those leafy ways 
Where thou and I went wandering 

In early June — the hawthorn sprays 

Were thick with flowers, the cuckoo's lays 
We heard and mocked his questioning. 

Now far and faint the breezes sigh 
O'er meadow, brook, and lonely lea ; 

A hollow echo says " good-bye " 
Like the sad voice of memory, 

And at its sound the roses die, 

While cold clouds drift across the sky, 
And wintry night descends on me. 



140 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

The Sacrament. 

Both soul and body now to Thee 

I give if Thou wilt take ; 
I am not worthy Thine to be, 

But thou can'st worthy make : 
Cleanse me, Lord, by Thy dear blood, 
And let Thy body be my food. 

How gracious is Thy comforting, 

Jesus, man and God ! 
A contrite heart to Thee I bring 

Smitten by chastening rod ; 
On the wild waves of passion tossed, 
But for Thy love it had been lost. 

The Meeting. 
I. 

After long years of silent gloom we met, 

And sleeping Love leaped from his hiding-place 

And laughed for joy to see us face to face. 

I looked and saw thine eyes with tears were wet,- 

O crystal drops ! that sight made me forget 

All former woes, yea, for a little space 

Grief vanished quite, subdued by tender grace ; 

Thy smiles and tears wiped out all past regret. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 141 

Healed are the wounds our sudden parting made, 
Those blessed tears like balm brought sweet repose, 
Love conquering comes and will not be gainsayed, 
Where those drops fell blooms now the fadeless rose, 
And every lonely yearning prayer we prayed 
Is as a flower that in Love's garden grow r s. 



II. 



Yea, in Love's sacred and most hidden bower, 
Where heart of man doth ever long to rest, 
Folded within thy loved one's tender breast, 
Blooms sweet for thee the eternal living flower. 
The flaming swords are past, our souls have power 
To enter, finding there their life's long quest, 
Their lonely toil repaid by rapture blest, 
Their grief exchanged for joy's most blissful dower. 
When years of waiting love are overpast, 
When burdens fall away, O glad release ! 
When folded in thine arms, secure at last, 
I hear thy lips whisper the glad word " Peace," 
" Peace, peace, sweetheart, thy lover holds thee 

fast," 
Then all my yearnings and my tears shall cease. 



142 THE TBIUMPH OF TIME. 

III. 

Though night be dark, the long watch I will keep, 
And wait the dawn of that glad perfect day 
Which shall for ever chase night's shades away : 
My faithful soul doth wake though I do sleep, 
My heart shall sing though I do sigh and weep, 
And when I almost faint that heart shall pray, 
Keeping my wandering steps lest they should stray, 
Guiding my soul through mists and shadows deep. 
Pray thou for me, yea, let thy prayers ascend 
As incense wafted by soft wings on high, 
Eeturning thence to me from the far sky, 
As the soft dews of night on flowers descend ; 
Their holy calm through all my life shall blend, 
And on their wings my prayers shall upward fly. 



Song. 

my dear soul ! 
So far away the white seas over, 

Eoll billows roll, 
Eoll to the feet of my waiting lover. 

Blow breezes blow, 
Where my mate sits lonely, 

Make him to know, 
I love him only ! 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 143 

Fly, birds | fly ! 
Through wind and storm, for my heart is waiting, 

The Spring is nigh, 
Green are the woods where the birds are mating. 
Bid him to come 
Where my heart sits lonely, 

Building a home 
For him I love only. 



Song. 

Where shall my bark drift, 

To what far shore ? 
Where shall my song lift 

Pinions once more ? 
Where shall I sing of thee, 

Under what canopy, 
By east or western sea, 

Songs as of yore ? 



144 THE TBIUMPH OF TIME. 



Within and Without. 

Here in my little room 
Blush roses bloom, 
Without the skies are gray and cold and drear, 
Within there is good cheer, 
Banished is gloom. 

My heart is like a rose, 
Within whose petals glows 
A hidden centre, filled with golden fire, 
There sleeps my heart's desire — 
Sleeps till the south wind blows. 

It dare not venture forth 
Lest cold winds from the north 
Blast the young blossoms of the tender vine 
That promise red new wine, 
Wine without wrath. 

And so it sleeps and waits 
'Till God shall ope the gates 
And bid the poet and the prophet sing — 
Sing without questioning 
The song of Fates. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 145 



The Star-Fish. 

The star-fish by the sea, 
Left stranded by the tide, 

Drew pitying tears from thee ; 
While I walked by thy side, 
Lonely and desolate, 

Had'st thou no word for me ? 

Had'st thou no word for me, 
Left stranded by love's tide, 

By salt and cruel sea, 

That my poor will defied ; 
By mocking fate 

That gave my heart to thee ? 

Thou had'st no word for me 
But only silent pride ; 

The star-fish but for thee 
Unrescued might have died ; 

Was it too late 
To find his native sea ? 



K 



146 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

I know not but thy tears 
Were shed alone for him — 

For him thy pitying fears, 

For him thine eyes grew dim ; 
sad strange heart, 

That saw'st not future years. 

Thou saw'st not future years, 
Wherein our love grew dim, 

Wherein salt, bitter tears 
Were shed, but not for him ; 
We had to part 

That day — what hopes — what fears 

Filled my poor eyes with tears, 

Filled to the brim ; 
My heart that yearned with fears 

To know the future grim ; 
How loth to start 
When the dark path appears. 

little living star ! 

Cast far into the tide 
By friendly hand so far, 

My heart fell there beside, 
It followed thee, 
One hand can make and mar. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 147 

It followed thee, star ! 

Cast to thy native sea ; 
One hand can make and mar — 

The hand that set. thee free 
Hath tortured me 
And set my love afar. 

Hath set my love afar, 

Cast) to the cruel sea ; 
He gave thee life, O star ! 

But he gave death to me ; 
I die, sent free 
Where naught can make or mar. 



k2 



148 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 



Sonnet. 

Better the silence that has fallen between 
Our aching hearts than loud laments of pain, 
Better our tears should fall like summer rain 
Than that fierce heat should parch the tender green. 
Silence and tears for each, though no more seen 
The love-lit eyes — nor voices heard again, 
Yet will we bear this fate and not complain 
Knowing our spirits meet 'mid airs serene. 
A day shall dawn of full and perfect rest, 
A night of stars and calm expanding seas 
Shall soon descend : the islands of the blest 
Await us ; while we steer with wakening breeze 
Our little bark o'er the deep water's breast, 
We hear afar angelic harmonies. 



THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 149 



The Hidden Bower. 

I may not see thy face, 

I may not touch thy hand, 
I may not hear thy voice call 

Across the silent strand ; 
Thy voice so sweet to hear, 

Thy face so sweet to see, 
Thy hand that held my wayward hand 

So firm yet tenderly. 
While every bird of Spring 

May call unto its mate, 
Our hearts must lonely sing, 

Our hearts must lonely wait. 

Our Spring is gone, 

And Summer time 

Will soon be past ; 

Our youth's glad prime 
Is fading, while on lonely lea 
The Autumn winds blow silently. 
And sad, cold Winter steals apace, 
And yet I may not see thy face. 



150 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



So long it seems — the years gone by, 

We met and loved so long ago, 
We met, we loved, we know not why, 

God ! and shall we ever know ? 
So love we still, nor can forget 
That day we met, that day we met. 

Yet thou art ever near me 
Though ever far away ; 

1 never bow on bended knee 
But for thy soul I pray ; 

I never sit and watch the sky 

Or distant silent sea, 
But that I feel thy spirit nigh, 

And know the ecstacy 
Of two communing souls in one, 
Adoring as before the Throne. 

God gave the love I feel for thee, 
God made that love endure ; 

I may not from its presence flee, 
It holds my heart secure, 

I seek it not, it flies to me 

As birds fly homeward from the sea. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 151 



It dwells so deep within my heart, 
Far from the world's rude gaze, 

None guess how much I live apart, 
Alone to tread Love's ways, 

And build a queenly pleasure house 

Where dwells my love, my lord, my spouse, 
Whose lightest word is praise. 



None see my garden where the rose 

And tender lily wait, 
Only my own beloved knows 

That hidden, secret gate, 
And none can pass the naming sword 
Except my love, my heart's one lord ; 

He will not tarry late. 



The roses red are blowing 
'Mid lilies pure and white, 

The fountains clear are flowing, 
And all for his delight ; 

Spice odours float upon the breeze, 

Doves coo in the pomegranate trees ; 
And fragrant is the night. 



152 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



If my love sleep, daughters ! 

Ye may not rouse him yet, 
The voice of many waters, 

Cannot make him forget ; 
For Oh ! his love is strong as death, 
Born of the fire and living breath, 

And in God's signet set. 



Eeflected in clear waters, 

We see the starry skies, 
Thus his sweet face, O daughters ! 

Within my bosom lies ; 
And though I made my bed in hell, 
Far from my love I could not dwell, 

Nor hide from his clear eyes. 



God's word alone can sunder, 

God's word alone can seal, 
The lightning and the thunder 

His unity reveal ; 
How blest are they who trusting stand, 
Hid in the hollow of His hand, 

And to His love appeal. 



THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 153 



How blest are they who slumber, 

As His beloved sleep, 
Who shall be of the number, 

Of His own chosen sheep, 
Who know and love the Shepherd's voice, 
And when they hear His word, rejoice, 

And His commandments keep. 



Thou art as my own brother, 
Nurtured at wisdom's breast ; 

Born of the self- same mother, 
Within her heart we rest ; 

Bat of her bread and drink her wine, 

heavenly food ! cup divine ! 
End of my life's long quest. 



154 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



" Stay me with flagons, comfort me with apples, for I am 
sick of love." — Song of Solomon. 



Sometimes I almost faint to think 

Of thee and thy sweet face, 
My pulses fail, I long to sink 

Deep, deep in thy embrace ; 
The clear pure colour of thy cheek 

Brings such delight I cannot speak 
When dreams reveal thy face. 

Sometimes my heart stands dumb and still, 

Thy lips like scarlet thread 
O'ercome me with a sudden thrill 

'Till life seems almost fled ; 
Thy tender beauty passing fair 

So fills my heart with rapture rare, 
The earth no more I tread. 

I faint for love — I die for love, 

Ah ! comfort me my own, 
I cannot wear the crown thereof, 

Nor bear its weight alone ; 
This sudden bliss, this joy intense 

Exalts with rapture every sense 
To heights supreme, unknown. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 155 

Sustain with me this shaft of light, 

This sudden shower of gold, 
Enclose me with thy pinions bright 

Of colours manifold. 
Then let us float on silent wings 

To where the great white angel sings 
The songs Ave knew of old. 



Autumn Song. 

Were I a lady fair — 
Loving dainty pleasure, 
Soft ease and gentle leisure, 

With rosebuds in my hair — 
We'd tread a stately measure 

Perchance, and you might wear 
My favour as a treasure. 

Were you a knight of old, 

We then might love discreetly ; 

Tuning our voices sweetly, 
With eyes not overbold ; 

Yet knowing Love completely, 
And his ways manifold, 

We'd follow him so fleetly. 



156 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



The world has grown unkind, 
I think, since we are chidden 
For loving thus unbidden ; 

Poor Love is left behind, 
Or in some corner hidden 

Away from this rude wind: — 
Or has he grown bedridden ? 



Yet leave him not alone, 

We may not love so brightly, 

So graciously and lightly, 
As in the days long gone, 

When men were brave and knightly, 
When gallant deeds were done, 

And love vows kept most rightly. 



We love now while we sigh, 
" The days are growing colder, 
Our youth is waxing older ; 

The last pale roses die, 

The Autumn rains will moulder 

The blossoms where they lie — 
Yet Love grows never bolder. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 157 



" Why did we meet so late — 
We love and cannot sever 
The link that binds us ever — 

Ah ! who can change his fate ? 
W T e loved once and forever, 

We cannot choose but wait, 
Though life unite us never. 



: Our love can never fade, 

However ill we use it, 

Eeject it or abuse it ; 
It will not be gainsayed 

'Twere folly to refuse it ; 
Since it cannot be stayed 

'Twere better far to choose it. 



" Grave knight and gentle dame, 

With silver in our tresses ; 

(The autumn twilight presses 
Where erst the morning came) 

With stately slow addresses, 
We call our Love by name- — 

Our words seem like caresses. 



158 THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 



" The joys of buried spring, 

And years of love are lying, 
"Where that pale rose is dying ; 

The songs we could not sing 
For tears are upward flying 

Like birds on merry wing ; 
Hills echo in replying. 

" days and years once lost ! 
load of weary trouble ! 
Love shall requite us double, 
And pay us all ye cost ; 

Our grief be as a bubble, 
Blown off and gaily toss'd ; 

Our sorrows burned as stubble. 



In youth love glows like wine, 
We kept our love in tether, 
Ah, love ! I wonder whether 

We'll taste that draught divine ; 
In warm or frosty weather, 

I'll care not nor repine, 
So we but drink together." 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 159 

Song. 

Yea, those who tread the desert's track, 

Obedient to his word, 
Shall no refreshing comfort lack, 

Nor no defending sword. 



At Communion. 

Dost Thon not know ? Thine eye can read and see, 
Thou who hast compassed grief upon the Tree, 
Sounding the heights and depths of human woe, 
Can my heart feel a pang Thou dost not know ? 

Dost Thou not care ? Thy heart can probe and feel, 
Yea, every smile that fain would tears conceal 
Eeveals my grief to Thee ; no bird of air 
Can fall unmarked by Thee ; dost Thou not care ? 

Lord of the least of these, or great or small, 
Who numberest hairs, markest the sparrow's fall, 
My wine is drunk, yea, even to the lees, 
My bark is tossing on tempestuous seas. 

There is no wine, yet Master by Thy will 
The waters turned; and by Thy " Peace be still," 
The tempest slept; Oh ! calm this life of mine, 
And give me now to drink Thy draught divine. 



160 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



Sonnets. 



I will be calm, I will not speak nor sigh ; 
I will be brave and hide my deep unrest, 
I will be true, and fold within my breast 
Each treasured word of Thine, nor make reply 
Should the unloving eyes now ask me why 
I cease pursuing their too worldly quest, 
And treat their vanities as meet for jest; 
One who has lived and loved may calmly die. 
What can life give more sweet than early love ? 
Than flowers of May ? than nights of balmy June ? 
Than days when each bird cooed and w^ooed in tune 
From soaring lark to the full-throated dove ? 
Should death come now to bear our souls above, 
We could not say " Alas ! he comes too soon." 



THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 161 



II. 



Too soon ? ah ! no, since led by Love's own hand, 

We followed him obedient to his mood ; 

For us the tree of evil and of good 

Eipened its fruit, untouched in that fair land 

Where Love doth dwell, — there by spice odours 

fanned, 
Another tree pat forth its living food, 
W T hile on the topmost bough the Dove did brood, 
And Cherubim with flaming sword did stand. 
Deep, deep we sank to rest in long embrace : 
Death cannot vanquish now, nor life destroy 
The memory of that eternal joy ; 
The veil was rent, we saw Love face to face, 
x\nd knew his rapture without sin's alloy, 
And Paradise became our dwelling place. 



162 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



Willow Song. 



Death is coming, coming late or soon, 
No more golden sun, no more silver moon, 
No more roses blowing in long days of June, 
Death is coming, coming late or soon. 

Death is coming, corning soon or late, 
Love the laggard lingers, will death wait ? 

Love the tardy comer, 

Loiters through the summer, 
Whiles that Death is knocking at the gate. 

Oh ! good-bye faint-hearted, 

I must flee, 
When I am departed, 

Come and see ; 
With thy rose wreaths wind me, 
With thy fetters bind me, 
When that thou shalt find me, 

Flown and free ! 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 163 



Song. 

I have an armed knight, 
Unseen who fights for me, 

Moonbeams are not so bright 
As his white panoply ; 

When shocks his blazing spear, 

Falsehood shall disappear ; 

Before his beaming eye 

Cowards must fly ! 



l2 



164 THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 



Song. 

A bonnie bird came flying, swift flying from the 

west, 
He sang so sweetly to my aching heart, 
" Poor heart and art thou waiting for the one thou 

lovest best, 
Waiting to meet no more to part ? " 

A silver cloud came sailing high up in* bluest air, 

And tenderly it wept to see mine eyes, 

For I said, " O cloud I'm longing to be with thee 

up there, 
And seek my own dear true love in the skies." 

But the bonnie bird w r ent flying far over summer 

seas, 
And the silver cloud has turned to autumn rain, 
And alone beside my hearthstone I hear the sighing 

breeze, 
And my heart is dumb and still with lonely pain. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 165 



The Angel of our Love. 

In wind and rain, through sleet and snow, 
Love follows me where'er I go, 
When skies are clear the golden air 
Thrills with his presence everywhere ; 
When skies are dark and overcast 
Safe in his arms he holds me fast. 

Where'er I go Love follows me, 
Nor from his presence could I flee ; 
His eyes regard me calm and still, 
My pleasure is to do their will, 
My rapture is to read his face, 
And mirror in my heart his grace. 

Lord of my life, he reigns supreme, 
O'er every thought, desire, or dream, 
O'er mind and soul, or heart and sense, 
Love reigns with full omnipotence ; 
My all to him I gladly yield, 
Lord of my life, my heart's bright shield. 



166 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

The Dual Vision. 
I. 

Upon the mount, O Lord ! I saw Thy face, 
Transfigured with exceeding glory round, 
With rapturous awe I fell upon the ground 
Crying " 'Tis good to be here in this place 
Tasting celestial joys filled full of grace." 
My spirit compassed Heaven as at a bound , 
And heard the praises from the deeps resound, 
Nor could I back to earth my steps retrace. 
I slept and woke to find no longer there 
The glory, and the dark made me afraid, 
My dumb lips tried to form a wordless prayer, 
I wandered, stumbling blindly as I prayed, 
When through the gloom the Mount of Calvary 
Loomed dark, and there my Lord nailed to the Tree. 

II. 

I found myself beside those bleeding feet 
That brought to earth the messenger of peace, 
My tears fell fast as rain, they could not cease, 
Though Thy dear mercies are so blest and sweet, 
Though Thy pure sacrifice was so complete 
That it shall every soul from sin release, 
And yield such fruit, such full and rich increase, 
That all must follow when those wounds entreat. 



THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 167 

At last, at last, yea, every eye shall see 
That dual vision of God's perfect love, 
Supreme surrender, glorified above ; 
He came to hang for us upon the Tree, 
He came to feed us with the fruit thereof, 
His conquering love must set the nations free ! 



III. 



Draw me, dear Christ, by those sweet wounds that 
Only beside Thy feet can I find rest, [' :) ^ ee( l> 

My heart with sorrow and with guilt oppressed, 
Aches with a knowledge of sore human need, 
To clothe the naked and the hungry feed ; 
Could the poor wounds with oil and wine be dressed, 
The little ones entreated and caressed, 
The barren vineyards planted with Thy seed, 
We might again see Thee transfigured here ; 
Strengthen us, Lord, to bring Thy harvest in, 
Strengthen my hands and purge my soul from sin, 
Teach me to succour weak ones when they fear, 
Oh ! teach me how I may one sad soul win 
To Thy sweet comfort, Lord, to feel Thee near. 



168 THE TBIUMPH OF TIME. 



Daybreak. 



" Thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening 
to praise thee." — Psalm lxv. 8. 



'Neath my window in the morning 

Little birds do sing : 
When the sun the sky adorning 

Pearls and gold doth bring. 

Eastern sky now filled with splendour, 

Bars of pearl and gold : 
Songs of birds serene and tender, 

Daylight doth unfold. 

And my heart walks in green meadows 

Where the daisies spring, 
And I dream of cooling shadows, 

Brooks low murmuring. 

Dream of all the pleasant places 
Where my feet have strayed, 

Of innumerable graces 

Shewn me whilst I prayed. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 169 

If the sky and birds adore Thee, 

Making morning glad, 
How shall I arise before Thee 

With my visage sad ? 

Let me but behold Thy beauty 

O my gracious Lord, 
Every trial, every duty 

Melt to sweet accord. 

While all nature sings Thy praises, 

High with rapturous thrill, 
One low prayer my spirit raises 

Lord to do Thy Will. 



170 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 

The Virgin Mother 

AND 

The Vision of The Bride. 

" And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith 
unto Him, They have no wine." — St. John ii. 3. 

" Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed 
art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, 
Jesus ! " 

"Come hither, and I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb's 
wife. 

" And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high 
mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, 
descending out of Heaven from God. 

" Having the glory of God : and her light was like unto a 
stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal." 

Eev. xxi. 9, 10, 11. 

" They have no wine," the Mother said 
To Him who was the fountain head, 

Of wine the great joy giver ; 
" They have no wine ; " the vessels fill 
With water, and the Eoyal Will 

Made wine flow like a river. 

" They have no wine," the Mother prays, 
E'en now when tearful voices raise 

Their tones of sad repenting. 
blessed Mother-prayers, prevail 
To bring forth wine that shall avail 

To heal past all relenting. 



THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 171 

Thou who art the very vine 

From which flows forth the living wine, 

Strengthen our feeble praying ; 
Sweet Mother Mary, near us stand, 
The people faint make swift demand, 

Our need brooks no delaying. 

Lo ! how T the fig-tree languisheth, 

" My very roots are parched " it saith ; 

The pomegranate is failing ; 
The palm-tree and the apple-tree 
Are perishing for lack of Thee, 

For Thee the land bewailing. 

Mother, all joy is withered 

From men, let tender words be said 

To call dowm marriage blessing, 
Speak to thy Son but once again, 
Bring joy unto the sons of men, 

Yea, rapture past expressing. 

Thou blessed Mother of our Lord 

Who gav'st to man the Incarnate word, 

In meekness God receiving ; 
Teach us by thy true lowliness 
His Name in pureness to confess, 

Immanuel believing. 



172 ' THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

When Wisdom formed Him in thy womb, 
Thy God who burst the stony tomb 

Ascending into Heaven ; 
Obedient to the Father's Will, 
In lowliness thou did'st fulfil 

The word through ages given. 

Mother ! type of womanhood, 
Hidden in God, yet understood 

By thee the Lord's handmaiden, 
Blessed art thou who gavest birth 
To Jesus, Lord of the whole earth, 

The Man with sorrows laden. 

Blessed art thou who did'st not quail, 
But meekly with thy flesh did'st veil 

The Lamb, slain from foundation, 
The sacrifice ordained above 
To fit man for God's perfect love, 

Fruit of the chosen nation. 

Thou blessed Virgin Mother mild 
Who nurturedst at thy breast the Child 

For which the earth is groaning ; 
Breathe words of wisdom in our ear, 
That hungering, thirsting hearts may hear, 

And cease their restless moaning. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 173 

" There is no wine" — the Mother's cry ; 
The virgins weep, and wail, and sigh, 

For their sweet Lord's appearing; 
Then Israel don thy bridal dress, 
He will not leave you comfortless, 

Among the nations fearing. 

The water springs, that long have dried, 
Shall burst forth fresh on every side ; 

Thy trees with blossoms laden 
Shall promise fruit ; thy sons come forth, 
Gathered from east, west, south and north ; 

Strong youth and tender maiden. 

The pasture that the fire devoured, 
With herbage green springs at His word ; 

The barren wildernesses 
With bubbling fountains are sustained; 
The flocks and herds are now regained, 

Healed of their sad distresses. 

Bring offerings of drink and meat, 
Bring offerings of incense sweet, 

Long from the House withholden ; 
Bring gifts of joy and gifts of praise, 
As in the long forgotten days ; 

The harvest shall be golden. 



174 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Waste not the corn, bring in the oil, 
The new wine made with holy toil, 

With thrift we shall have plenty ; 
Fear not, little band ! though few T , 
The Arm Almighty strengthens you, 

And one shall be as twenty. 

Proclaim the tidings glad, again, 

Of " Peace on earth, good- will to men," 

Tell aching hearts the story ; 
My feet upon the hills have been, 
Mine eyes as from afar have seen 

His Israel crowned with glory. 

Mine eyes have seen the Sun arise — 
The long sad night looked with surprise 

Upon His beams of healing ; 
Soon that bright vision shall expand 
Till every eye and ear and hand 

Shall feel the Lord's revealing. 

The silver and the gold downtrod, 
We then shall lift in gifts to God ; 

Thy people shall be willing ; 
Come, Lord, with crown upon Thy head, 
With hands for sacrifice outspread, 

Those hands the people filling. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 175 

Mary ! among all women blest, 

golden rose ! whom God hath dressed 

In robes of virgin brightness — 
garden sweet, where dwelt our Lord ; 

Judah's maid by hearts adored, 
Surround us by thy whiteness. 

Clothe now the Bride to meet thy Son, 
Put her white robes of linen on, 

Smelling of all chief spices ; 
" With rows of jewels, chains of gold, 
Lo ! thou art fair, my Love, behold 

Thy beauty me entices." 

1 have found favour in his eyes ; 

My loved one spake, and said " Arise, 

My fair one, flowers are springing, 
The Winter days are overpast, 
And Spring-time sweet is come at last ; 
List to the birds' low singing." 

" How fragrant is the tender vine 

With grapes that promise new-made wine ; 

With buds the fig-tree swelling." 
" Arise, my Love ! my fair one, come, 
Of cedar beams is built our home — 

Fir rafters bind our dwelling." 



176 THE TBIUMPH OF TIME. 

" In thy green garden blooms the rose, 
And lilies there their leaves unclose, 

When soft south wind is blowing." 
" Pomegranates in the orchard swell, 
And pleasant fruits my Love likes well, 

By living waters growing." 

In secret places of the stairs, 

High up — where scarce the eagle dares 

To build — in fast recesses ; 
'Mid clefts of rock, there Love invites 
My soul to dwell on those pure heights 

Where Nature God expresses. 

Shine forth, O beauteous face appear ! 
Thy voice of music let me hear, 

Its sweetness me entrances ; 
And on the valleys low descend, 
Making them green — and deign to lend 

Thy grace unto the dances. 

Fresh springs of joy are found in Thee, 
Tabors, and pipes, and minstrelsy, 

And ecstacy of motion ; 
Who made the birds' swift-winged grace ; 
The courser — fleet to run his race ; 

The finnv tribes of ocean. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 177 

From Thee all human joy doth spring — 
The insect world, on gauzy wing, 

Quivers with exultation — 
And shall not man, as happy, find 
His wealth of joy in one great mind 

That formed the whole creation ? 

There is no joy but what He gives, 
Supreme st joy within Him lives, 

Yea, joy beyond comparing ; 
Keject Him and we suffer loss, 
Nailing his love upon the cross ; 

Such grief must God be sharing ? 

Yea, such His love that He must share 
The burden that we cannot bear, 

The curse that follows sinning ; 
Yea, such His love, He waits to win 
The souls that cleave unto their sin, 

Our free will He is winning. 

Freedom He gave unto our race, 

Nor will withdraw that heavenly grace, 

But by our own reception, 
The " perfect law of liberty " 
Upon our hearts engraved must be, 

O gift beyond conception ! 

M 



178 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Fair Bride, redeemed by God's great word, 
Eent Kingdom now receive thy Lord, 

Lost Israel surrender ; 
Thy Euler hath come unto thee, 
And from thy sins hath set thee free, 

Behold the Bridegroom tender. 

Crowned with the crown of Solomon, 
The dual kingdom joined in one, 

The broken vow re-plighted ; 
Immanuel, rule in righteousness, 
In Thee all woes shall find redress, 

Thou Man and God united ! 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 179 



Peter, The Rock. 



; If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me," — 

St. John xiii. 8. 



" Dost Thou wash me, O Master? " 

Said Peter to his Lord ; 
" Dost Thou wash me, Christ Jesus ? " 

Said one who drew the sword ; 
" To wash my feet Thou shalt not kneel, 
Said Peter, filled with righteous zeal. 

"And if I do not wash thee, 

In Me thou hast no part " 
The Master said, " nor can'st thou know 

The love within My heart ; 
Except I wash thee white as snow 
Thou can'st not follow where I go. 

" Ye must be clean to enter 

The dens of foul disease 
And take no hurt ; ye must be clean 

To speak the fair word ' Peace : ' 
Can ye bear witness of the light 
Until its cleansing make you white ? " 

m 2 



180 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

11 Then wash my feet, Master, 
And wash my hands and head " 

Said Peter, loving his fair Lord ; 
But Jesus answered — 

^ To wash thy hands there is no need, 

Thy feet have made thee clean indeed. 

" I wash thy humblest members, 

That ye may do the same 
Unto the lowliest of the earth, 

Yea, wash them in My name, 
As unto Me ye shall do it, 
And cleanse the body evfery whit. 

" Thus, following the commandment 

I now give unto you — 
That ye should love each other ; 

This, My commandment new, 
That ye must follow, every one — 
Do unto all as I have done. 

" Then shall My Church be cleansed, 
Then shall My Bride be fair ; 

Put on her spotless raiment, 
And bind her radiant hair ; 

My righteousness that in her lives 

The garments of salvation gives. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 181 

" Like an army strong with banners, 
Like moon she shall shine forth, 

The little ones shall to her cling, 
The great shall feel her worth ; 

For God doth compass her around, 

And in her walls shall joy be found." 

The Church that erst was founded 

On Peter's own belief, 
In Jesus Christ come in the flesh, 

Gained one of sinners chief, 
And saints and martyrs gladly died, 
Giving their lives for Christ's fair Bride. 

And we must live to dress her 

In garments fair as moon ; 
lovely Bride put on thy robes, 

Thy Bridegroom cometh soon ; 
Clothe thee with linen pure and fine, 
To meet His Majesty Divine. 



182 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



The Vision of Holy Waters. — Ezekiel xlvii. 

By Shallow Streams. 

By shallow streams I watched the waters play, 
Clear gleam the pebbles there, and golden brown 
The dead leaves lie ; the sunbeams glinting down 
Through shade of trees above, make the glad way 
Of waters bright, through the long sunny day; 
The skies smile clear : who dreams that they can 

frown ? 
Or that these waters speed to yon dark town, 
Where tired hands toil till hearts forget to pray ? 
Only the beauty and the joy I knew 
Of summer peace, for, Oh ! my heart was blest ; 
Separate from sin as far as east from west, 
Unconscious of the death from which I drew 
My blissful life — of death that was my due — 
I only dreamed of Love, and knew God's rest. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 183 



" Waters up to the knees." 
" Waters up to the loins." 

My tender Father loved me while I smiled, 
His gracious pity drew my heart more near 
With childlike faith, I came with childlike fear, 
Lisping His praises like a weaned child ; 
Seeking the face of Love, whose aspect mild, 
Beamed full of joy, whose voice, in tones most clear, 
Made sweetest music to my waiting ear. 
Onward the waters sped in streams more wild, 
The deepening river, rushing as it came, 
Bore me along, and as it eastward sped, 
Darkness closed round, the cold hands of the dead 
Clasped mine, hoarse voices called me bymyname ; 
Some cried for comfort, some spoke words of blame ; 
I sought to strengthen, but fell there instead. 



184 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



Waters to Swim in. 

Dead with my dead ! and with the sinful slain ; 
A broken and a contrite heart is mine ; 
No longer conscious of the love divine 
That bore me in its arms as babe is lain 
On mother's breast ; my way no longer plain, 
My fainting soul thirsts for the living wine, 
For living bread my heart doth now repine ; 
I, hungering, cry, let me not call in vain ; 
Strength for the weary — where shall it be found 
By me whom weariness hath caused to faint ? 
How shall I bind and heal another's wound 
With wine and oil who am not free from taint ? 
How shall I blow my trump with certain sound 
Poor sinner called to do the work of saint ? 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 185 



By Living Trees. 



Morning by morning Thou awakenest me, 
With listening ear I mute before Thee stand, 
Held firm in life by Thine all- strengthening hand, 
Learning the truth that shall at last make free, 
Sealed unto death to know Thy liberty ; 
Set in the limits of jny narrow land, 
Yet gazing upward on the starry band ; 
Knowing my seed countless as stars shall be. 
Though I be slain, my own Bedeemer lives ; 
Though I be dead, my flesh again shall rise ; 
His word of promise full assurance gives, 
That cannot fail e'en though He rend the skies. 
Father Almighty, under Thy broad wing 
My heart shall rest in peace, my soul shall sing. 



186 THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 



II. 



The streams roll on to sweeten that dead past, 
Made bitter by the ceaseless hidden flow 
Of countless tears, by hearts' unuttered woe ; 
The dead-sea fruits — a mass of guilt I cast 
Into the sea where sinks the burden vast ; 
Eoll, living waters, cleanse that overthrow ; 
Lo ! my Creator, faithful, I shall know, 
Able to save and willing to the last. 
Great is my need, Thy bounty shall supply ; 
Eed is my sin, Thy blood shall make me white ; 
Death is my due, and yet with Thee I die. 
Dark is my soul, behold the stars of night ; 
Waiting on Thee, swift wing bear me on high ; 
In shades of death I walk, Thy way grows bright. 



For this interpretation of " The Vision of Holy Waters " 
I am indebted to Mrs. Brewster Macpherson. Many of 
the ideas here expressed may be found in her deeply 
interesting volume, entitled " Gifts for Men." 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 187 



•"Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, 
Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou 
fitted me : 

" In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast no 
pleasure. 

" Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is 
written of me,) to do Thy Will, O God." — Hebrews x.5, 6, 7. 

"He that seeks to save his life shall lose it : and he that 
loseth his life for My sake shall find it." 



To do Thy Will I come ; to do Thy Will 
Unto the uttermost, if I be found 
Worthy to stand upon such holy ground : 
Here let me stand, do Thou, Lord, my cup fill 
With sweet or bitter — naught can work me ill 
If Thy free grace in me doth so abound, 
That feeble trump give no uncertain sound, 
Blown by Thy breath it wakes with sudden thrill ; 
My own life lost in Thee shall I not find ? 
My body dead, with Thee again shall rise, 
Fitted to bear the glories of the skies ; 
Fitted to see with eyes riot long since blind ; 
Fitted to comfort now the weary mind 
With law of kindness — word to make men wise. 



188 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



" I kill, and I make alive ; I wound, and I heal ; neither 
is there any that can deliver out of my hand." — 

Deut. xxxii. 39. 



I think that I am dead, that part of me 

Is dead and buried, that I knew one day 

Closed in the grave and hidden quite away : 

And yet that death shall no corruption see ; 

My spirit lives and moves in joy most free, 

Yea, draws its wings from that poor silent clay; 

While those still lips have now no word to say, 

Another life moves on in ecstacy. 

Calm in the grave one life lies cold and still ; 

Free in the sky another being moves ; 

O death in life that doth our prayers fulfil ! 

O life in death for every heart that loves ! 

O will that yieldeth to another's will — 

Descending fire the sacrifice approves. 



THE TKIXJMPH OF TIME. 189 



The Holy Heart. 



I charge the stars to tell thee 
The words I may not speak ; 

I bid the flowers compel thee 
The pleasant way to seek. 

I woo the winds to bind thee, 
I call the birds to sing ; 

The wood-doves coo to find thee, 
And home their captive bring. 

I bid the red-rose blossom ; 

I bid the ring-dove coo, 
And carry in her bosom, 

Some dream of me to you. 

For still my poor heart craveth 
To give some word or sign ; 

Oh ! hear the word that saveth 
My love that still art mine. 



190 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



Though in the grave I'm lying, 
May not my dumb heart cry ? 

God hear my lonely sighing, 
Make swift and sure reply. 

I trust Thee though Thou slay me ; 

Thy hand can wound and heal ; 
Thy comforting shall stay me, 

Thy precious blood shall seal. 

And low beside Thine altar 
I lay my hopes and fears, 

With hand that doth not falter, 
My sacrifice of tears. 

My grain sown now with weeping, 

At cost of bitter pain, 
With joy I shall be reaping, 

And bring my sheaves again. 

My treasured hopes and dearest, 
My God, to Thee I bring ; 

My fondest loves and nearest, 
Here at Thy feet I fling. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 191 



My heart that still is beating 

With sacred human love, 
With every throb repeating 

The height and depth thereof. 

Take all its deep devotion ; 

Take all its stifled cries ; 
Its pangs of swift emotion — 

The flame that speaks and dies. 

Here safe to thine own keeping 
My heart, my life, I bring ; 

Still Thou its ceaseless weeping, 
And make it laugh and sing. 

Bind it with sorrow broken, 
Best ore what sin hath slain ; 

The word that shall be spoken, 
Can call to life again. 

O comforting Bread sustain me ; 

strengthening Wine inspire ; 
Though mine own sin hath slain me, 

Consume the gift with fire. 



192 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



For all I have is given — 
A broken contrite heart ; 

And if asunder riven, 
In Thee it has no part. 

Then cleanse my sacred treasure, 
Make it as one unstained ; 

In death thou hast no pleasure, 
But in a heart regained. 

There build a Temple lowly 
Where Holy Dove may brood, 

And in that place most holy 
Feed me with living food. 

There Father, Son, and Spirit, 

In unity shall reign, 
The blessed meek inherit 

The earth redeemed from pain. 

O, hear me Holy Father ! 

0, hear me Blessed Son ! 
O, hear me Sacred Spirit ! 

Eternal Three in One. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 193 



The Scapegoat, lev. xvi. 

Bound to the altar, I, 

Made meet to die ; 
Thou sent to wander free 

Over earth's rocky places ; 
Poor heart, dost think of me, 

Finding lost traces 
Of ways we walked together 
In cloudy, windy weather ? 

Poor heart, so far from me, 

Lonely and free. 

Alas ! poor heart, I pray 
For thee by night and day ; 
My hands and feet are bound, 
My sad lips make no sound, 

And yet God hears me say 

My prayer for thee alway : 
" God keep thy wandering feet, 

God keep thy heart ; 
God make thy life most sweet, 

Where'er thou art ; 
God watch between us twain 

Till life depart. 



194 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 

" Watch o'er my heart's desire, 

Light of mine eyes ; 
Make all our prayers aspire, 

Incense arise ; 
Guide us by cloud and fire, 

Father, All- wise." 

Though I be bound, 
My spirit finds thee in far rocky places ; 

I shall be found 
Beside the altar, follow our lost traces 

Back to the Mercy Seat, 

Back to our God, 

There let thy lips repeat 

"Words long downtrod. 
Lift high the banner, lo ! the Incarnate Word 
Eeturns with flames of fire and two-edged sword. 



THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 195 



A Farewell. 

My loving words to thee, 

My body to the dust. 
My soul to God who gave it me, 

In whom alone I trust. 

My loving words will live 

When body shall arise, 
Till then ten thousand prayers I give 

As pledges to the skies. 

My shroud is long and white, 
With spice it is made sweet, 

Then lay me in the summer light, 
Where shadowy branches meet. 

My soul is purged from sin, 

And gladly would I go 
To where the new life must begin, 

Where pain shall end I know. 

My work is finished here, 
My race is almost run, 
My darkened way is now made clear 

By beams of rising sun. 

n2 



196 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 

And heavenly light doth shine 
Adown the angels' track ; 

Ah ! could ye see with eyes of mine, 
Ye would not call me back. 

All faithful souls are there, 

The many gone before, 
Like incense rises ceaseless prayer 

From true hearts that adore. 

The saints and martyrs wait, 

A glorious company, 
And those who pass within the gate, 

Their blissful splendors see. 

And I among the blest 

A humble place may crave ; 

My body with the dead shall rest, 
My soul with God who gave. 



THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 197 



I. 



Though all the world frown on thee, thou hast 

A love unchanging and a heart secure, [won 

A love that shall through life and death endure, 

And testify to deeds of valour done. 

Hast thou not put the Christian's armour on 

Like knight of old, because thy heart is pure ? 

Fight on, strong doer, thy reward is sure ! 

To weave thy crown the angels have begun; 

And think of me as one whom thou hast set 

Upon a throne in a far silent place. 

Oh ! not for me should thy dear eyes be wet — 

Weep not, grieve not, look back a little space 

Into that Paradise where first we met, 

We there shall meet again, love — face to face. 



198 THE TBIUMPH OF TIME. 



II. 



Let years upon this earth be long or few, 
Mingled with light and shadow, sun and rain ; 
A good deed done outweighs a world of pain : 
And we have set ourselves to work anew. 
God's Word, distilled upon us as the dew, 
Has filled our sinews with new life again, 
Strengthened our nerves to bear the needed strain ; 
Strike but the chord, the sound rings brave and 
We work to music, singing as we go [true. 

A song of triumph that the valiant teach, 
It moves majestic in its measured flow, 
And is more eloquent than any speech, 
And every soul must learn that song to know, 
Before it can its own bright heaven reach. 



THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 199 

The Song of the Valiant, exodus xv. 

Unto the Lord my song shall be, 
For His great triumph glorious. 

The horse and rider in the sea, 
Thrown by His power victorious ; 

A Man of war, of sword and flame, 

Jehovah is His glorious Name. 

The Lord my strength, the Lord my song, 
Becomes my soul's salvation ; 

His kingdom will not tarry long, 
Prepare a habitation ; 

My father's God my God shall be, 

Who saved his people from the sea. 

The enemy sank down as stone, 
Who followed through the waters, 

As lead a mighty host went dpwn ; 
Then sang great Israel's daughters — 

" Sing to the Lord, victorious, 

For His great triumph glorious." 

Oh ! bring Thy chosen people in 

The mountain they inherit, 
And dash in pieces all their sin, 

Guide them by Thy pure Spirit, 
Come with Thy glittering sword of flame, 
Establish us by Thy great Name. 



200 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Hast Thou not purchased us of old ? 

With precious blood hast bought us ; 
With wisdom, prized above all gold, 

Instructed us and taught us ; 
Teach us Thy song of victory, 
Who saved our fathers from the sea. 

Teach us a new glad song to sing, 
Of Thy new triumph glorious, 

When Thou again Thy flock shalt bring 
O'er land and sea victorious, 

A nation called from east and west 

From north and south Thy people blest. 

God of Abraham Thy friend, 

Of Isaac, seed elected 
In Jacob, chosen for this end 

To bring the King expected, 
Call now the lost of Israel's race, 
And gather them to their own place. 

Stretch forth again Thine own right hand, 
And thunder from Thy mountain, 

The sea shall surely be as sand, 
The desert as a fountain ; 

Oh ! bid Thine exiled kingdom come, 

Gather Thine outcasts to their home. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 201 

Oh ! build again great Israel's house, 

Prepare the way before us, 
Yea, all the mighty men arouse, 

And make them captains o'er us, 
Marshal again the mighty host 
Long hidden, whom the world deemed lost. 

Bone to his bone shall cleave again, 

A mighty wind come rushing 
To rouse the dead that had been slain, 

A fount of water gushing 
Shall heal of every sad disease, 
And bring the world eternal peace. 

Arise ! arise ! Adonahy ! 

Shine forth in all Thy beauty, 
Let chaff before the whirlwind fly, 

Bid fire fulfil its duty. 
Woman at last has called on Thee ; 
Arise ! and set Thine Israel free. 



" When once woman calls upon her God, tremble ye who 
desecrate her shrine. As chaff before the whirlwind, as 
stubble before the fire, shall ye be in the day when Adonahy 
shall arise in His beauty." — Parables of Judgment. 



202 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 



Six Sonnets. 
I. 

" If thine enemy hunger, feed him." 

Mine enemy sat begging at my gates, 
Anhungered, clothing torn, and visage sad ; 
I brought him in and gave the best I had — 
Pomegranates, figs, apples and ripened dates, 
And spread my bounty on great golden plates, 
And looked to see mine enemy made glad ; 
But lo ! my food to him seemed full as bad 
As hunger — naught breeds good to him who hates ; 
Then out into the cold again he went, 
And I, on my full board looked down ashamed, 
And never with my food could find content, 
All things seemed faulty, this and that I blamed : 
Ever his hatred with each blessing blent ; 
My love had not yet that dark spirit tamed. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 203 



II. 



" Love is the fulfilling of the law." 

Then with a well-worn cloak and scanty crust 
I wended forth to find my needy friend, 
I came upon him just where tw r o roads bend, 
Weary and worn and travel-stained with dust, 
I said, "Friend, rest awhile, yea, rest ye must, 
And take my cloak, which I will gladly lend, 
At your own pleasure, back to me it send, 
Or keep it as a pledge of loving trust ; 
Nay, more, divide with me this bit of bread. 
And let us eat in friendly company." 
Alas ! poor soul, never a word he said, 
But his complaining — it was sad to see ; 
Upon his staff he bowed his weary head, 
And like a child, wept there most bitterly. 



204 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



III. 

" Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good." 

Then my sad friend back to my house I brought, 
Bidding him rest, I washed his bruised feet ; 
I spread a couch for him, with spice made sweet ; 
I bade my chief musicians to be sought, 
And charged them sing one song they had been 

taught, 
Whose dying tones soft slumbers do entreat, 
That fading strain I bade them oft repeat, 
Until the veil of sleep his eyelids caught ; 
Eefreshed and soothed by comforting healing sleep 
He woke, but former woes had passed away. 
" I have forgotten now why I did weep," 
Slow to himself I heard him, wondering, say, 
And then he prayed that God his soul would keep; 
And oh ! my soul did joy to hear him pray. 



THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 205 



IV. 



" Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have 
sternal life, but they are they which testify of Me." 



I turned the pages of the Book of old, 

And many a curious promise did I find ; 

I read to him how those who had been blind 

Were made to see .; how bodies dead and cold 

Were made to rise ; my spirit grew more bold, 

I read how those possessed of devil-kind 

Had been released — restored to wholesome mind; 

And yet the wondrous tale was not half told : 

I spoke of fountains found in desert sands ; 

Of angels who had walked and talked with men ; 

Of Israel, strengthened by upholding hands ; 

Of one man fighting with the power of ten ; 

And how the might of faith e'en death withstands, 

Shutting the mouths of lions in their den. 



206 THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 



He listened, ever wondering as I spake, 

And turned to me his sad beseeching eyes ; 

I taught to him the law that makes men wise : 

I told him of One, dying for his sake : 

Hearing those words his trembling soul did quake, 

And all his speech did melt into great sighs. 

As the shot bird quivers before it dies, 

So quivered he as though his heart would break ; 

It was as if a mirror to his sight 

Had suddenly revealed the depths below, 

His darkened soul he saw made clean and white 

By sacrifice supreme ; he learned to know 

The love, no love of man can ere requite, 

And at that sight he wept, but not for woe. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 207 



VI. 



And bending o'er us too the angels wept 
Great tears of joy, that fell like freshening rain, 
x\nd then they sang a low enraptured strain, — 
O'er golden harp strings their white fingers swept, 
While lambent flames about them glowed and 

' leapt ; 
And lengthening chords sang out like joy through 

pain, 
" A soul redeemed," they cried, "brought home 

again 
Into the fold, this feast day shall be kept 
With songs of prayer and praise to One on high, 
Who did descend to be of men the King ; 
From rainbow-circled throne within the sky 
He comes again, let songs of triumph ring, 
Let songs of rapture like the eagle fly, 
And prayer's sweet incense to His altar bring." 



208 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

Valediction. 



Is my tale told and is my singing ended ? 

Nay while heart beats my tale cannot be told ; 
True love loves on, its smiles and tears are blended 

Through all our life ; its chequered lights of gold 
Shine through the years into the dim beyond ; 
O tender hearts love on, growing more fond. 

II. 

When was the spider ever tired of weaving 
Her netted mesh ? does she not love to spin ? 

Toil is her pleasure, in her fate believing, 
If rude hands break her web she doth begin 

Another house, her threads drawn swift around, 

A skilful plan, with measure, shape, and bound. 

III. 

Where is my home ? where is my habitation ? 

In house of many mansions shall I rest ? 
There have I builded on a sure foundation ? 

There have I formed a little bird-like nest ? 
There have good deeds counted as treasure gained, 
Laid up until my crown shall be attained ? 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 209 



IV. 



My heart is there among those hidden treasures, 
My life of service here I gladly meet, 

In toil and care renouncing earthly pleasures, 
Only to find eternal joys more sweet ; 

O rest ! sweet rest ! that comes with labour done ; 

O victor's crown after the battle won ! 



V. 



To wrest bright virtue out of strong temptation : 
To bring forth honey from the lion's mouth : 

To bind the flesh — to see the soul's salvation : 
To find wells springing in the desert 's-drought- 

This is to know the mercy of our God, 

To find our comfort in His staff and rod. 



VI. 



We are not vanquished, who in our strong crying 
Can bless the hand that cleanses with its scourge ; 

We are not vanquished in our martyr-dying, 
If songs of joy ring louder than the dirge ; 

We are not vanquished even while we weep, — 

In anguish deep shall answer unto deep. 

o 



210 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



VII. 



Fight on, brave hearts, fight out the world's old 
Eternal truth against infernal lies ; [battle, 

Storm at the gates of death till thunders rattle ; 
Evil, resisted, swift before us flies ! 

Dash down the offspring of your darling sins, 

With sword in hand the life of truth begins. 



VIII. 

[him; 
With sword in hand the knight sees death before 

A thousand deaths rather than virtue yield, — 
The body dead, angels wrap virtues o'er him ; 

The martyr with his blood his faith hath sealed, 
But soon in Love's bright bower his eyes shall ope, 
There shall he wake, guarded by Faith and Hope. 



IX. 



Oh ! many deaths we die while young life passes — 
Death of our hopes, death of our fond desires — 

They wither as the flowers, and ferns, and grasses ; 
Ephemeral life in higher life expires ; 

The chemist but transmutes — nothing is lost ; 

Though gold of wisdom gained at sorrow's cost. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 211 



X. 



Who builds the Temple of Eternal Beauty, 
With colours fair, inlaid with precious stones, 

Lays down his life before the feet of duty, 

And cares not where shall rest his weary bones ; 

To seek and find that kingdom of great worth, 

With scrip and staff content he fares him forth. 

XI. 

He feels not pain, he feels not body's fasting, 
His joyful spirit heavenly visions sees, 

Enamoured is he of the everlasting, 

And worshipful he bends upon his knees, 

On noble deeds his mind is fixed intent, 

In frequent prayer his head and body bent. 

XII. 

And glad is he to render service lowly 

Unto some humble creature weak and old ; 

A child to him speaks of the Master holy, 

A lamb brings pictures of the Shepherd's fold, 

And sacredness in human life is found, 

Because the Father's love doth so abound. 

o2 



212 THE TKIUMPH OF TIME. 



XIII. 

A pilgrim on the earth is he, and stranger, 
And yet he knows his Lord, the King of men, 

He has no fear of death nor mortal danger, 
But, oh ! he has a godly fear of sin ; 

Knowing the deadly peril to his soul, 

He conquers sin at any cost or dole. 

XIV. 

Christ's poverty he shares, and poor in spirit 
He walks the earth, unknown by his own kind, 

On earth his meekness must at length inherit, 
He lives unseen of eyes by sin made blind, 

" Let all things die, so Jesus Christ be won," 

With that great prayer he girds his armour on. 

XV. 

To share his Master's cross, that is his glory, 
To die with Christ that he may learn to live, 

To tell to all mankind the blessed story, 
And to the needy food and clothing give — 

These are the hopes on which his heart is set, 

And on this ground the tempter must be met. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 213 



XVI. 



The lying temptor that with vain seduction 
Seeks to invest with a delusive worth 

The lies that are his false brain's own production, 
A monstrous progeny of bastard birth ; 

And yet with specious grace they seem alive, 

And for a little time do move and thrive. 

XVII. 

Yet woe betide the youth who at their bidding 
Seeks rest and ease in some fair green retreat ; 

Seize quick the sword, with sturdy blows be ridding 
The earth of them and of their foul deceit, 

Dash on the stones the Babylonish brood, 

The enemies of all things pure and good. 

XVIII. 

Take Faith, the power by which the world was 
builded, 
The motor that hath mountains great removed ; 
Take Hope, that many a valiant heart hath 
shielded ; 
And Charity, sweet and best beloved ! 
Let but these graces teach and fill thine heart. 
And Satan's troop of lies must soon depart. 



214 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



XIX. 

Fair mistress Pride, with subtle sfelf-deceiving, 
Tells us that we are innocent and good, 

" Injured by others though past all believing " 
She whispers, feeding us with fatal food ; 

And Envy stirs the embers of dislike ; 

And Anger bids us, in revenge to strike. 

XX. 

Idolatrous, we covet worldly blessing 

Instead of seeking out our righteous King ; 

Instead of meekly all our sins confessing, 
We seek repose in body's fostering ; 

In lust of power, of gain, of sensual feasts, 

We lose our life, becoming as the beasts. 

XXI. 

A little sleep, we cry, a little slumber 

To rest our weary limbs, our minds repose, 

Day unto day is added without number, 

Night unto night, when will the eyes unclose? 

When will the watchman cry awake ! awake ! 

Night is far spent, the morning soon will break. 



THE TRIUMPH OP TIME. 215 



XXII. 

Then earth shall rise as from a gloomy pris 
Then Israel's sons and daughters shall be 

A nation dead, in their great Lord re-risen, 
Cleansed from all sins, in bridal raiment dresst . 

house of Aaron, join in Judah's praise, 

Our fathers' God again His power displays. 

XXIII. 

Levi is joined, his portion he inherits, 

Stranger no more but sheltered in the gates, 

He doth not sorrow, now knowing he merits 
More than all griefs, yet joyfully he waits 

The Lord's command to journey or to rest, 

Obedience seems to him of all things best. 

XXIV. 

United now in strength his power is quelling 
The subtle forms of sin that breed disease ; 

The instrument of God in might dispelling 
The enemy that from his bright sword flees, 

Light and perfection from his banner stream, 

The Urim and the Thummim flash and gleam. 



216 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME 



XXV. 



Eestore the slain, wind of heaven fresh blowing ! 

Four winds arise ! breathe that these slain 
may live, 
O fountain sealed, break forth again in flowing, 

Through the dry wilderness new verdure give ; 
Prepare the way before the coming Lord 
Whose breath is sharper than a two-edged sword. 

XXVI. 

Turn, turn children's hearts unto the fathers 
Lest His appearing smite us with a curse ; 

The faithful flock around its shepherd gathers, 
Lest dangerous wolves the little flock disperse ; 

In unity is strength, gather and pray, 

When Shepherd calls, hear swift and swift obey. 

XXVII. 

He leadeth me, my Lord, by the still waters, 
In the green pastures He doth make me rest, 

He calleth us by name great Israel's daughters ; 
Eejoice ! rejoice ! in hearing ye are blest, 

While we repose in dreams and slumbers deep, 

He, watching us, doth slumber not nor sleep. 



THE TEIUMPH OF TIME. 217 



XXVIII. 



When in the shades of death my feet do wander, 
Thy staff sustains ine and Thy rod doth guide, 

Upon Thy mercies sweet my heart doth ponder, 
When lo ! a table spread, — on every side 

Thy goodness follows me, thy love doth rush, 

x\nd in the desert living fountains gush. 

XXIX. 

warrior, take thy helmet of salvation, 

Thy shield of faith to quell sin's subtle darts, 

Let feet be shod with gospel's preparation 

Of peace, swift peace, to heal the aching hearts, 

The armour of pure righteousness put on, 

Then may'st thou fight, and victor's crown be won. 

XXX. 

Thy prayers that mount on high to heaven 
ascending 
On airy rounds a path celestial make, 
Where angel visitants return descending, 

With streams of light the heavenly day doth 
break ; 
Our Father Jacob on a stone did rest, . 
But we now sleep on Abraham's faithful breast. 



218 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 



XXXI. 



Father of our race, thou now art holding 

Thine own true seed close, close in fast embrace ; 

Thy Father's heart is gathering and enfolding 
The little ones, while we our steps retrace 

Back to the Land thy God hath given to thee, 

That Holy Land redeemed, regained, made free. 

XXXII. 

O Father Abraham, thy blood is thrilling 

Thy children's veins again throughout the earth, 

Thy faith, thy righteous faith in us instilling, 
The quickening word that gives a nation birth ; 

O God, in travail are Thy people born ; 

Eachel shall cry no more as one forlorn. 

XXXIII. 

Oh ! happy, blessed is our generation, 
A chosen people, holy from the womb ; 

Saved by the Lord, our Shield, a Holy Nation, — 
Ee-risen now our God hath burst the tomb ; 

Jehovah — Tsidkenu returns to bless ; 

We rise in Him, The Lord, our Kighteousness. 



THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 219 

Beatific Vision. 

All I am, I give, 

All I have, I bring ; 
Lord, in Thee I live, 

Saviour, Lover, King ; 
My will grown free 
In Thee 

Mounts up with eagle wing. 

As the hart pants for brooks 

So faints my soul 
To feel Thy gracious looks ; 
Lord, make me whole ; 
Thy touch my clay transmutes 

To golden fire, 
And all earth's dazzling fruits 
Upon the pyre 
Consume away ; 
Then sound the heavenly lutes, 

The harp and lyre 
Struck by immortal hands 
Yield melody supreme ; 
Then breaks the eternal day ; 
And in a dream 
Of music shine far lands, 
And lo ! my soul her destiny commands, 
And in Elysian fields doth will to stray. 



220 THE TRIUMPH OF TIME. 

No longer bound to mean ignoble things ; 
Gifted with eagle sight and eagle wings, 
Higher and higher speeds its circling flight 
Beyond the clouds, beyond the gloom of night, 
To where the starry one dwells on His Throne : 
Ethereal splendor viewed by love alone, 
Whiter than snow where sunlight clear doth rest, 
Purer than down upon the dove's white breast, 
Brighter than seven-fold brightness of the sun, 
Softer than moon when clouds her veil put on ; 
There spreads the crystal sea of molten gold, 
There rainbows flash their colours manifold, 
There rapturous strains of love throb out and ring 
Upon the trembling air, there angels sing 
Of joys that saints in Paradise have found, 
And incense rises while those notes resound 
In clouds of fragrant smoke saints' prayers ascend, 
And with the joyful song of angels blend. 
Vision of love ! vision of endless peace ! 
Be with me when my pilgrimage shall cease, 
Be with me when my life on earth is done, 
When billows all are past and victory won. 



Finis. 



CONTENTS. 



ORDER. PAGE. 

1 Prologue . 5 



PART I. 

In Absence. 

2 Song — " Dim forms half seen through tears " . 10 

3 Why did we Part ? 11 

4 When I am Dead 12 

5 Sea Waves 15 

6 Aspiration 17 

7 Song—" Unto Thee, my God, unto Thee " . 18 

8 Sonnet—" That where Thou art, Thy chosen 

ones may be " . . . . . . .19 

9 Sweeter than Honey 20 

10 Waters in the Desert 21 

11 I gave thee Jewels 22 

12 Nocturne 23 

13 The Wind Harp 26 

14 The Song of the Wind 27 

15 Andromeda 28 

16 World Weary ........ 29 

17 The Lost Sheep 30 



224 CONTENTS. 

Inteblude — The Tenor Voice. 

ORDER. PAGE. 

18 Winged Sleep 37 

PART I. CONTINUED. 

19 Avenged 41 

20 Relenting -42 

21 Yearning 43 

22 Light in Darkness 44 

23 Strong as Death 45 

24 Dreams of the Night. No. I.. ... 46 

25 Joy in Sorrow , 47 

26 Twilight Mists 49 

27 Dreams of the Night. No. II. ... 50 

28 Hymn of Praise .51 

29 Pre-Vision 53 

30 Wrestling 55 

31 Tyre 56 

32 Weary . . 59 

33 The Comforter 60 

34 The Song of the Dove 61 

35 Dead Desire 65 



PART II. 

The Word Restored. 

36 Hymeneal Hymn 71 

37 Recompense 78 

38 The Land of Silence 79 

39 Sonnet — " O my Beloved, hide and rest in me" 82 

40 Seek and ye shall find . . . . .83 



CONTENTS. 225 
Judgments. PART IIL 

ORDER. PAGE* 

41 Follow after Love 87 

42 The Sacrificial Doves. No. 1 89 

43 Interlude 91 

44 The Sacrificial Doves. No. II 92 

45 Song — " By Bread alone we do not live " . 94 

46 Saved as by Fire 95 

47 Song— " Flesh of thy flesh I am " ... 97 

48 Thou Knowest 99 

49 Song — " Like an avalanche, my Love runs fast " 103 

50 Christian Marriage ...... 105 

51 Mystical Death 108 

52 " The strange, sad charm of Death " . . . 110 

53 A Night of Roses 112 

54 Song — "Across the Sea" . . . . ' 113 

55 The Winged Harp 114 

56 Song — " Where Lilies blow, my Love doth feed " 114 

57 Sonnet — " Henceforth I will believe that thou 

dost love " . . . . . . . 115 

58 Song — " What hast thou given to me " . . 116 

59 Chorus — "Winged heart, winged lyre" . . 117 



PART III. 

Building The House 

60 The Name . 121 

61 Building the House 122 

62 The City Lieth Four Square .... 129 

Interlude. — Confession and Absolution. 

63 Sonnet — "I have renounced Love's ways". . 131 

64 Sonnet — " O Love, I bartered all, nor counted cost 132 

P 



226 CONTENTS. 

ORDER. PAGE. 

65 Sonnet — " And thus I tread a path of loneliness" 132 

66 Sonnet — " And yet from that dead waste there 

may arise" 133 

The Thread Eesumed. 

67 Song— " O sweet Oblivion " 137 

68 When Beauty Fades 137 

69 Sonnet—" So I be fair to thee " . . . .138 

70 Sonnet — " Yea, love me so before my roses fade" 138 

71 When Koses Bloom 139 

72 The Sacrament 140 

73 The Meeting 140 

74 Sonnet—" Yea, in Love's sacred and most hidden 

Bower" 141 

75 Sonnet — " Though night be dark, the long watch 

I will keep" 142 

76 Song— " O my dear Soul " 142 

77 Song— " Where shall my bark drift " . . 143 

78 Within and Without 144 

79 The Star-Fish 145 

80 Sonnet—" Better the Silence " . . . .148 

81 The Hidden Bower ...... 149 

82 Song — " Sometimes I almost faint to think " . 154 

83 Autumn Song 155 

84 Song — " Yea, those who tread the desert's track 159 

85 At Communion 159 

86 Sonnet — " I will be calm, I will not speak nor sigh" 160 

87 Sonnet — " Too soon? ah ! no, since led by Love's 

own hand 161 

88 Willow Song 162 

89 Song — " I have an armed knight " . . . 163 

90 Song — "A bonnie bird came flying" . . . 164 



CONTENTS. 227 
ORDER. PAGE. 

91 The Angel of Our Love 165 

92 The Dual Vision— Three Sonnets . . . .166 

93 Daybreak 168 

94 The Virgin Mother and the Vision of the Bride 170 

95 Peter, The Rock 179 

96 By Shallow Streams 182 

97 "Waters up to the knees." "Watersup to the loins." 183 

98 Waters to Swim in ...... 184 

99 By Living Trees 185 

100 Sonnet — " The streams roll on to sweeten that 

dead past " 186 

101 Sonnet— "To do Thy Will I come; todoThyWill" 187 

102 Sonnet—" I think that I am dead " . . 188 

103 The Holy Heart ....... 189 

104 The Scapegoat 193, 

105 A Farewell , ... ... 195 

106 Sonnet—" Though all the world frown on thee " 197 

107 Sonnet — "Let years upon this earth be long or few" 198 

108 The Song of the Valiant .... 199 



SIX SONNETS. 

" If thine enemy hunger feed him." 

109 I. " Mine enemy sat begging at my gates " . 202 

110 II. "Then with a well-worn cloak and scanty 

crust " 203 

111 III. " Then my sad friend back to my house I 

brought 204 

112 IV. "I turned the pages of the Book of old" 205 

113 V. " He listened, ever wondering as I spake " 206 

114 VI. " And bending o'er us too the angels wept" 207 

115 Valediction 208 

116 Beatific Vision 219 



Farquharson Roberts & Phillips, 

printers, 

13, huggin lane, queen victoria street, london, e.c. 



Fscp. 8vo., Cloth. 



THE 



Triumph of Love. 



JJtgatital $oem 



IN SONGS, SONNETS AND VEESE, 



ELLA DIETZ. 



LONDON : 
B. W. ALLEN, 4, AVE MAEIA LANE. 

MDCCCLXXVII. 



THE ENGLISH PRESS. 



THE EXAMINER. 

There is no ordinary depth and tenderness of feeling 
in these poems. They have a curious resemblance in 
sentiment to the mystical poetry of the seventeenth 
century. Such a song as the following might have 
been written by a female George Herbert : — 

O touch me not, unless thy soul 

Can claim my soul as thine ; 
Give me no earthly flowers that fade, 

No love, but love divine : 
For I gave thee immortal flowers, 
That bloomed serene in heavenly bowers. 

Look not with favour on my face, 

Nor answer my caress, 
Unless my soul have first found grace 

Within thy sight ; express 
Only the truth, though it should be 
Cold as the ice on northern sea. 

O never speak of love to me, 

Unless thy heart can feel 
That in the face of Deity 

Thou wouldst that love reveal : 
For God is love, and His bright law 
Should find our hearts without one flaw. 

VICTORIA MAGAZINE. 

From this book it is scarcely possible to make an 
extract ; it must be read in its entirety. Until we 
came to the last page the book never left our hand. 
Every line betrays intense earnestness ; and mystical 
as it may be, human love and anguish throb and surge 
throughout, until the final chorus is reached : — 

Out of each heart there went a flame, 

And rose till it came to the Great White Throne, 

And there the two were made as one, 

And as those flames ascend, aspire, 

God accepteth the gift of fire, 

And giveth instead His own bright Name. 



THE CIVILIAN. 
As an actress and reader of no mean ability, the 
authoress of this work has for some years past been 
before the London public. Nor is this, we believe, her 
first essay in Authorship, for, unless we are greatly 
mistaken, we have seen her name subscribed to several 
gracefully-written scraps of verse which have appeared 
from time to time in the periodical press. The pre- 
sent work is of a more ambitious character than any 
of these, but it is of an equal, indeed of a higher order 
of excellence. The depth of feeling, elegance of fancy, 
and purity of diction, which lend so great a charm to 
her slighter effusions, are present also here ; and with 
them we note an occasional sublimity of thought, a 
breadth and loftiness of conception, which mark her 
possession of powers far beyond those of the mere 
writer of verse. The general character of the poem 
reminds one somewhat of "In Memoriam," and indeed 
the influence of Tennyson is visible in nearly every 
page. The following lines, to give an example, might 
well pass as the composition of the Poet Laureate, 
and are certainly not unworthy of his pen : — 
I would that I could marry my sweet thought 
To words that should convey the soul of sense ; 
Clothe it with language pure, sublime, intense, 
And wondrous rhythm with such meaning fraught 
That every ear might hear, and by it taught 
Pierce through these Babel clouds so thick and dense, 
That hide us each from each — 

The authoress does not fall far short of her aspiration, 
for her poem is full of beautiful thoughts, expressed 
in language as powerful as it is graceful. The work 
deserves to be read. 

PUBLIC OPINION. 

This is a very carefully-written volume of verse, of 
a pathetic nature, and bearing the marks of refine- 
ment and delicacy. The authoress has evidently a 
great power of versification. 

Herrick has shown that an almost Catulline fancy 



in the weaving of love-poetry is not incompatible with 
a higher appreciation of the beauties of a purer style. 
He managed by his writing to bridge over the chasm 
between the nature-worshipping of sense and the ideas 
of the inner man. Miss Dietz has well followed in 
the path which Herrick has indicated, and her verse 
is redolent of the prairie flow 7 er. 

THE GRAPHIC. 

Is by no means wanting in metrical ability, or in 
thoughtfulness, though the author may occasionally 
appear to sound unfathomable depths. The gist of 
the whole seems to be the apotheosis of faithful love, 
the human leading up to the divine ; and the best 
passages are those entitled " Sursum Corda," " Day 
Song," " Night," and " Love's Gifts." 

THE PUBLISHER'S CIRCULAR. 

It might almost be called a lady's In Memoriam, 
penetrated by an intensely devout frame of mind, and 
clad in words of fitting solemnity and beauty. 

SUNDAY TIMES. 

Few volumes of modern poetry deserve a warmer 
welcome than The Triumph of Love of Miss Ella Dietz. 
Tender, thoughtful, and womanly throughout, it rises 
at points into absolute inspiration, and it has every 
variety of charm that cultivation, fervent aspiration, 
and poetic perception can bestow. Its attractions for 
the reader will be increased when he knows that the 
author is an artist who has won herself position upon 
the stage. A work must, of course, stand upon its 
own merits and be judged apart from all personal 
claim of the author. When, however, tested by the 
most rigid standard, it wins admiration, the fact that 
the author has claims of another class cannot fail to 
enhance the interest it possesses. Not so accustomed, 
indeed, are our artists to go out of themselves and 



seek distinction in kindred walks that we can be 
otherwise than grateful when we find an instance such 
as this in question. We accord thus a warm reception 
to a book that needs no such recommendation, for the 
fact that its writer is one who has won our admiration 
by the display of other phases of her talent. 

It is involved in the very conditions under which a 
poem like this is written that it is impossible to give 
by separate extracts an idea of the sustained grace, 
beauty and tenderness of the whole. This, however, 
is the only resource left us. The reader who seeks to 
comprehend the relation to each other of the different 
portions headed by such names as " Eetrospection," 
" Introspection," " The Eeality," " The Temptation," 
and "The Triumph," the recurrent sweetness of the 
refrains or the pathos of the " Interludes " must turn 
to the volume. 

THE ERA. 

The fair writer of the poem seems to have 
attempted a mystical poem something after the School 
of Dante Eosetti's "House of Life." Her poetical 
talents are considerable and some of the songs in this 
volume are remarkably flowing and graceful ; we may 
instance that commencing "Wake, Wake the Dawn is 
Breaking " and another " Starry Eyes." 

THE SPIRITUALIST. 

This poem is essentially a creation. It is intensely 
subjective ; but are not all great poems more or less 
so — or, at all events, are not poems great to us ; do 
they not take hold upon us, in proportions as they 
reveal the inner self of the poet, or (in this case) the 
poetess? 

Perhaps the highest testimony that could possibly 
be given to the holiness of the poem is afforded in the 
circumstance that a clergyman of the Church of 
England, who is not wont to quote words at random 



in the pulpit, and whose congregation is one of the 
largest in London, selected some words from The 
Triumph of Love to conclude a sermon on Christ's 
sketch of His mission, as given by St. Luke in the 
description of His sermon in the Nazarene synagogue. 
The w r ords of the poem are, in fact, little more than a 
paraphrase of Holy Writ at this point : — 

My spirit travaileth to give new birth 

To light ; to lift and let the oppressed go free ; 

Draw all their sins and sorrow unto me, 

And suffer once for all ; to give them mirth 

For tears ; to feed the hungry hearts ; for dearth 

Plenty and riches, faith and charity. 

The book must be read more than once to master its 
meaning ; but those who have been privileged to 
make one perusal will need no persuasion to induce 
a second. 

Maubice Davie s. 

THE PSYCHOLOGICAL REVIEW. 

Every true poet, yea, every original thinker, is a 
mystical teacher for some stage of initiation into the 
hidden life, and every one by birthright has entered 
into one or more of its degrees. He is more imme- 
diately and widely heard who can give expression to 
the mystic feeling of the greater number. * * * 
The writer seems to have drank deeply of the well 
of our best Elizabethan poets ; some verses remind 
us of Spenser, and the unity of purpose and subject 
of the sonnets of those of Shakespere. 

THE SUNDAY REVIEW. 

1 As the title indicates, Love is the theme of this 
collection of poems, which are very musical, and 
often very mystical, and form not so much a continuous 
relation, as a series of expressions of mental phases 
and alternations of feeling, doubt, hope, fear, tempta- 
tion, triumph. The aim of the writer is high and 



pure ; setting forth love, filling two hearts and over- 
flowing until it embraces all humanity and all God's 
visible creation ; subduing self in devotion to duty ; 
finding blessed peace amidst the woes and trials of 
earthly life, and resting at last in the great Centre and 
Source of life and love, having its fulness and com- 
pleteness in God. One of two lovers, the woman, 
dreams that being denizens of heaven, they seek and 
obtain permission to descend to earth to give to the 
world this lesson of unselfish love, to teach mankind 
that thus alone can their brotherhood with Christ be 
made manifest and their union with God completed. 

It is the woman whose mission it is to carry on this 
blessed work, and to make the dream a reality, 
showing man his divine nature, making him at one 
with God. A fitting corollary to the old story of Eve 
tempting Adam to fall ; woman at last, through pure 
love, tramples under foot the old serpent Selfishness, 
brings home to man's consciousness the love which 
Christ died to make manifest to him, and so restores 
him, purified from sin, to his lost Eden. 

In the working out of the theme, the most ardent 
sensuous love is refined and spiritualised, as the 
oriental mysticism of Solomon's Song is made to 
typify the affinity of Christ and His Church. The 
grand lesson inculcated is that which the best minds 
of all ages and of all creeds have believed and taught, 
universal love, charity in its highest sense, without 
which theological dogmas are but as dry husks, and 
the law of God unapprehended. 

SUSSEX DAILY NEWS. 

Miss Dietz is especially happy in that most difficult 
of all forms of composition, the sonnet ; and some of 
the snatches of song with which, as in the Old Greek 
Tragedy, she marks the breaks in her poem, are 
perfect gems. 



THE THEATRE. 

It is full of poetic feeling and graceful imagery, 
and many of the lines will live in the memory of 
those who read them. 

THE KENSINGTON NEWS. 

We are indeed amazed at the fertility and wealth 
of ideas comprised in this little volume and its frag- 
mentary contents ; while the moral, contained in two 
lines of an ode called " Sursum Corda," must commend 
itself to our very highest regards : — 

'Till we reflect God's glory here, 
We cannot pass to His bright sphere. 

Next in beauty to the Sonnets are the Songs, freely 
interspersed through the poem, in many different 
metres, and often as exquisite as those in Festus. 

THE ACADEMY. 

If the book is simply an expression of human love, 
it is very graceful and full of poetical feeling. In 
their first and obvious meaning some of the sonnets 
are beautiful. We quote one from the early part of 
the book : — 

" Should we part now ? love, how can we part ? 

Leave if thou wilt, thou canst not take away 

The glory and the brightness of the day. 

My soul will be with thine where'er thou art ; 

Till thou canst send the red blood from thy heart 

Thou canst not banish me, though I may stay 

As silently ; still shall my silence pray 

Until thy spirit feel the vital smart. 

I would not have thee suffer. my own, 

I would not hold thee, thou shouidst still be free, 

For when thou goest I am not alone, 

Thou canst not take thyself away from me : 

But thou canst dim the brightness of the sun 

With clouds. O love ! I would not have thee gone ! " 



